In spite of an announcement made earlier this week that VeraSun Energy will be delaying the start-up of its ethanol plant near Hankinson, North Dakota, the state’s energy industry is thriving.  KX News reported two stories concerning North Dakota’s energy industry:

• The Future of ND Energy discusses the outlook state leaders have on the energy industry.  Quotes from Gov. John Hoeven and Shane Goettle of the North Dakota Department of Commerce are included, as well as perspectives from a fourteen-member group working to increase the state’s share of the energy market.  An associated press article published in the Bismarck Tribune gives some insight, as well. 
• Wind Developer Planning $2 Billion Project takes a look at Florida Power and Light’s interest in building an enormous wind farm in Morton and Oliver counties capable of generating three times as much power as the entire state produces right now.  Construction could begin in 2010.  

In the half-dozen years I’ve been in North Dakota, I’ve seen wind farms spring up in all directions.  This is a big thing.  Athough both our wind energy potential and our oil reserves in the Bakken formation are gaining some national attention, I look for more focus on North Dakota’s energy sector in the future.  That’s probably what Gov. Hoeven’s Empower ND Commission is all about.