Where do Bismarck candidates stand on energy and utilities?

Question

Accepted Answer

U.S. House, North Dakota At-Large. Julie Fedorchak (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Trygve Hammer (Democratic-NPL): At an October 2026 debate, Hammer called for greater caution and transparency around data centers and said Congress should regulate them, citing concerns about technology companies and impacts on working people. He said he wants measures to increase transparency for data-center projects and to prevent developers from overriding the interests of small towns and individuals. He also called for congressional action to ensure the AI economy does not harm working people. Helene Neville (Independent): No public statement found in our sources. Charles Tuttle (Independent): At an October 2026 debate, Tuttle said townships should have authority over data-center decisions and raised concerns about secrecy around those projects. He said the United States should pursue fair and equal trade to support farmers, and said he does not believe biofuels and green energy work. Attorney General. Tim Lamb (Democratic-NPL): He said he would slow data-center development and assign an assistant attorney general with AI expertise to review how data centers operate. Drew Wrigley (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Agriculture Commissioner. Doug Goehring (Republican): Discussing data centers, he said the issue is local and involves private-property rights. Vern Thompson (Democratic-NPL): He says community benefit agreements and decommissioning and reclamation plans should be in place before data-center permits are granted. He called for a one-year statewide moratorium on new data-center permits and a ban on nondisclosure agreements for public officials concerning data centers. Public Service Commissioner. Sheri Haugen-Hoffart (Republican): She said baseload coal and natural gas are needed for grid reliability during severe winter weather, and that four-hour battery storage would not be sufficient in those conditions. John M Pederson (Democratic-NPL): He says communities and ratepayers need a voice in decisions about data centers and related infrastructure, and supports long-term planning, coordination among decision-makers, and transparency. He said he would put ratepayers first, seek meaningful public input, support responsible energy development, and require bonding to ensure proper decommissioning. Public Service Commissioner Unexpired 2-Year Term. Scot Kelsh (Democratic-NPL): He argued that members of the public should be heard earlier in major pipeline and transmission proceedings, saying people feel they are not being heard. He said the grid and generation capacity are not ready for sudden, large electricity-demand increases from data centers and argued that existing ratepayers should not subsidize those customers. Jill Kringstad (Republican): She emphasized the need for baseload coal and natural gas to maintain grid reliability during severe North Dakota winters. She said the PSC must treat all parties fairly and follow the law when considering permits for power lines, pipelines, and energy facilities, and described a law change she advocated to improve public input. She said a large data-center customer paid network-upgrade costs upfront and cited customer credits returned through the utility’s data-center-related arrangements. State House, District 7. Steve Sauter (Republican): He supports responsible energy development that protects jobs, strengthens local communities and provides revenue for public services. Jason Thoms (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Greg Vetter (Republican): He supports the coal and energy industry and reliable energy infrastructure. Tiffany Williams-Rice (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. State House, District 47. Rosann Jacobs-Fode (Democratic-NPL): No public statement found in our sources. Jon Lee (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Cole Montoya (Democratic-NPL): He expressed concern about unregulated construction of artificial-intelligence data centers and said North Dakota should protect its natural environment. Michael Motschenbacher (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Andrew Alexis Varvel (Independent): No public statement found in our sources. Burleigh County Commissioner. Kay LaCoe (Nonpartisan): No public statement found in our sources. Wayne Munson (Nonpartisan): No public statement found in our sources. Steve Schwab (Nonpartisan): No public statement found in our sources. James (Jim) Small (Nonpartisan): Small said he supports business development, but not at the expense of county residents, and wants to keep utilities reasonably priced around new developments. Mark Splonskowski (Nonpartisan): No public statement found in our sources. Mark Wagner (Nonpartisan): He says professionalism, treating people well and being prepared should return to county government, and that these skills matter as the county faces changes such as AI and data centers.