Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Mathern outlines his energy plan

Mathern outlines his energy plan

Sep 16, 2008 - 04:05:19 CDT

By BRIAN DUGGAN
Bismarck Tribune

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tim Mathern said at a Monday press conference that if elected governor he would not push for a state-owned oil refinery, instead opting for a public-private partnership to fund it.

Mathern said he would not take $1.5 billion out of the state's general fund to pay for the refinery, a charge levied by his Republican opponent Gov. John Hoeven.

"I think the best way to do it is through the private sector," Mathern said. "If it's a private-public partnership, which means the state would be involved in it; I believe every part of the state's ownership would be through bonds, not through the general fund."

Hoeven's campaign released a statement Monday criticizing Mathern for "waffling" on his positions.

"Now he's totally about-face," said Don Larson, Hoeven's campaign manager, citing a December 2007 article in the Bismarck Tribune quoting Mathern as advocating a state-owned oil refinery. "Mathern's talking about (private investment); we're doing it."

Mathern's position to privately fund for an oil refinery is not a new one, according to a letter to the editor he wrote to the Tribune in July 2008.

"The state doesn't need to be the owner of the refinery," Mathern wrote. "It can be a privately- or tribally-owned or a partnership of some kind. The important thing is that it be owned and operated here in North Dakota."

Mathern also said at the press conference that he wants more pipelines to move oil and windmills to turn the Peace Garden State into the "Saudi Arabia of wind" energy.

"We have the most wind potential than any state in the union," said Mathern, who signed T. Boone Pickens' energy plan last week, which advocates developing wind energy throughout the Great Plains.

North Dakota has developed only half of its wind energy potential, Mathern said. He added North Dakota should be generating 10,000 megawatts in wind energy by 2020 and 15,000 megawatts by 2030.

Mathern said the state lacks the leadership to "capitalize on this once-in-a-generation opportunity."

Hoeven's campaign noted a number of oil pipeline projects in various stages around the state that have started under his administration.

Enbridge is expected to double its pipeline capacity in 2010 and the Three Affiliated Tribes is waiting on a lengthy federal permitting process to construct pipelines on its tribal land.

(Reach reporter Brian Duggan at 223-8482 or brian.duggan@;bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

SB wrote on Oct 7, 2008 1:13 PM:

" Senator Mathern doesn;t have the greatest track record when it comes to energy. First off, he voted against a plan in 2001 that created the strategic plan for economic development that targeted energy. In 2005, he voted against another plan which created a sales tax exemption for machinery and equipment used to reduce emissions, increase efficiency or enhance reliability at new or existing refineries or processing plants. Finally, he voted against reduced tax rates for new horizontal wells drilled in the Bakken Formation, which actually helped stimulate growth in Western North Dakota. "

NoDak Dan wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:18 AM:

" Interesting, Katie, that you consider wind energy an "eyesore"....personally, I find the yellow-brown streak crossing the sky from Beulah every single day much more an eyesore than wind generators. Look up the value of wind and get your facts straight...the efficiency of wind energy has incrementally increased steadily over the past 20 years. "

GT wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:37 PM:

" Dave
Maybe you will be. But Iam confident TIm Mathern will be the new govenor. Hoeven had his run. And its the same ole same ole. if thats what you want ..
time for new leadership and get rid of the HOEVEN GOOD OL BOY NETWORK!!!!!!!
Need I say more?? "

dave wrote on Sep 16, 2008 1:49 PM:

" Gt,

Have fun calling Hoeven "Mr. Governor" for another 4 years.

All Mathern has proposed is to spend the entire surplus.....twice! "

kev wrote on Sep 16, 2008 1:45 PM:

" Why does our government need a plan for energy? Just let the free market decide for itself! "

Gt wrote on Sep 16, 2008 12:12 PM:

" well you say you don't see Mathern explaining his plan? what about Hoeven whats his plan????? He hasn't said what his plan is. Except brag that he brought in 30,000 jobs and 7,000 people moved into the state. The 7,000 that moved here were probally illegals katrina victims.. "

Katie wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:55 AM:

" The general public doesn't understand how many windmills it would take to generate 10,000 megawatts and I don't see Mathern explaining it. I don't see the savings from the windmills we have now and too often see them idle. Makes them an eyesore with little value. "

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