Here’s your North Dakota business daily briefing for Tuesday, Nov 25 2025 — covering new or updated developments with meaningful impact over the next 30‑45 days, grouped by industry.
Energy (Oil & Gas / Power / Pipelines / Utilities / Renewables)
1. North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) adopts new Above‑Ground Storage Tank (AST) rules.
What happened: Effective October 1, 2025 under newly adopted N.D. Admin. Code Ch. 33.1‑13‑01 (via HB 1058), operators of above‑ground tanks holding gasoline, diesel, kerosene or heating oil must now register annually, implement leak‑detection within 180 days, and perform monthly inspections. HOBBS Incorporated
Why it matters: Companies with AST facilities (fuel retailers, bulk storage, heating fuel suppliers) now face new compliance tasks, potential fines and risk of losing cleanup‑fund eligibility if not registered.
Who’s affected: Fuel storage/retail operations, heating‑oil suppliers, contractors doing tank work, insurers.
Dates/deadlines: Leak‑detection requirement within 180 days (~April 2026), monthly inspections immediately, annual registration deadline soon (fee structure: $150 base + risk multiplier).
2. Utility regulators consider the state’s first large battery‑storage sites.
What happened: The North Dakota Public Service Commission will review proposals by NextEra Energy for battery‑storage installations (one ~100 MW in Burke County, one ~$181 million in Emmons County) connected to wind farms. North Dakota Monitor
Why it matters: This signals emerging infrastructure and procurement opportunities (construction, operations, maintenance, land leases) in the renewable‑storage sector; grid‑capacity implications for utilities and aggregators.
Who’s affected: Wind‑farm owners, EPC contractors, battery‑storage manufacturers, local landowners, utilities.
Dates/deadlines: Public hearing in Burke County scheduled Dec 19, 2025 at Bowbells Memorial City Hall.
3. State’s coal‑combustion residuals (CCR) program gains EPA approval.
What happened: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved North Dakota’s state‑led CCR permit program on Nov 5, 2025, meaning the state—not the federal government—will supervise disposal of coal ash, etc. Environmental Protection Agency
Why it matters: Regulatory certainty for coal‑fired power plants and disposal contractors; may reduce federal oversight cost and speed permitting for projects tied to coal/critical‑minerals recovery.
Who’s affected: Coal‑fired power plants, ash‑disposal contractors, mining/critical‑minerals firms, environmental consultants.
Dates: Immediately effective as of announcement.
Education & Training (K–12, Higher Ed, Private, Training Providers)
4. Energy/Trades career summit draws students and industry in Stanley.
What happened: A recent career‑education summit (T4: “Tools, Trades, Torque & Tech”) in Stanley brought middle/high school students into energy, oil & gas, and healthcare fields—highlighting workforce gap of ~13,000 open jobs in ND. ndenergy.org
Why it matters: Creates talent‑pipeline opportunities for businesses; training‑providers and employers might partner for internships/apprenticeships; signals demand for skilled‑trade training.
Who’s affected: Technical colleges, training programs, manufacturers, oil/gas service firms, secondary schools.
Dates: Summit held recently; businesses should ready workforce initiatives for 2026 hiring.
Agriculture, Manufacturing & Ag‑Tech
5. Natural‑gas pipeline developer signs up western suppliers for eastern users next year.
What happened: A pipeline developer is executing contracts to link western North Dakota natural‑gas suppliers with eastern industrial users, expected to ramp next year. North Dakota Monitor
Why it matters: Expands market for upstream gas producers, stimulates construction/jobs for pipeline/related infrastructure; may affect agricultural side‑gas usage or LNG opportunities.
Who’s affected: Oil/gas producers in western ND, midstream constructors, industrial users in eastern ND, local suppliers.
Dates: Signup execution next year; businesses should monitor for contracting opportunities.
Government / Nonprofit Service Providers & Cross‑Sector
6. Easier process for mailing unclaimed‑property checks to ND residents.
What happened: A new state law streamlines the process for automatically mailing unclaimed‑property checks (for amounts between $50 and $1,000) when identity/address is verified. The Economic Times
Why it matters: While directly benefiting residents, businesses with unclaimed‑property liability (e.g., voided checks, deferred payments) may face increased outreach/claims exposure.
Who’s affected: Businesses holding unclaimed funds, payroll/HR departments, nonprofits with dormant funds, service‑providers handling owner‑location.
Dates: Already in effect; affected businesses should review unclaimed‑property practices.