I have to admit, this truly surprised me. 

I’m still leary of Barack Obama, but I’m glad he’s seeing the Bakken oil formation as an important resource for helping fill national energy needs.  On the energy front, North Dakota does have a lot to offer–great wind energy potential, vast coal resources, and a great interest in biofuels (including ethanol). 

As long as it’s economically feasible, tapping into the Bakken formation while we research and develop things like affordable mass cellulosic ethanol or wind energy transmission makes a lot of sense.

Obama is very right about one thing:  the oil boom in North Dakota right now is very important for our local economy.  And it’s always nice when North Dakota gets recognized.