Will North Dakota Get Its Own "Green New Deal"?

Governor Burgum's 2023-25 budget includes a massive $500 million injection for the "Clean Sustainable Energy Fund"; but other forces at play may be looking to hijack that intent.

Previously, I have highlighted two BIG proposals to reform the state’s income tax system and to reform the state’s public pension fund policy. Taxpayers should be nothing but supportive of both of these proposals.

One of the biggest boondoggles of the last few years in North Dakota has been what was created in the 2021 Legislative Session called the “Clean and Sustainable Energy Fund.” This was part of the $500 million coal industry bailout bill that we strongly opposed at the time.

How Much Are Legislators Willing To Spend To Bailout Coal?

The Clean Sustainable Energy Fund is an open-ended expansion of government.

Based on the makeup of the voting committee, the deck is clearly stacked for using the money and the government program to bailout, subsidize, and prop-up traditional energy. And since we have multiple bills this session to help the coal industry, one can only assume it is to help that industry. At least for a little while.

It is also becoming apparent that the goal of the fund is to use state tax dollars to create a government prog…