Special Guest: Josh Kramer, General Manager and Executive Vice President, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives

Electricity costs and data centers have been making headlines across North Dakota, but what’s really driving the changes in rates and demand? In this episode, host Sabrina Halvorson first sits down with Josh Kramer to unpack the complexities behind the state’s electric grid, rising costs, and the pressures of modern energy needs. Kramer explains how a surge in consumption—particularly from oil and gas operations—has reshaped infrastructure planning over the past decade and what that means for rural cooperatives today.

Together, they discuss the broader picture of transmission congestion fees, grid strain, and North Dakota’s unique position in national energy trends. Kramer also offers insight into how electric cooperatives are balancing reliability, affordability, and innovation as the grid evolves to meet new demands—from industrial growth to emerging technologies.

“For the first time in 20 years, electricity load growth is being seen across the country. And in North Dakota, we’re the exception—it’s been growing steadily for years, driven by oil and gas, and now, new industries like data centers.”

Following the discussion with Kramer, reporter Michael Standaert joins to talk about other key issues, including the loss of funding for a solar project and how it will affect tribal communities around the state. He also discusses the possible loss of LIHEAP, the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helps lower-income people cover energy costs.

This episode goes beyond headlines to reveal how cooperatives are preparing for the next era of energy use, and what it will take to keep North Dakota’s power reliable and affordable in a changing economy.

In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halverson and lead reporter Michael Standaert explore the story behind a North Dakota family that has turned to regenerative ranching to restore their land. Facing declining crop yields and deteriorating soil, the Maddock family adopted innovative grazing techniques that use cattle to naturally rebuild soil health. Their efforts earned them the Aldo Leopold Conservation Award, a national recognition for land stewardship. Michael shares insights from his reporting and firsthand observations from the ranch, highlighting how these sustainable practices are not only improving the land but securing a future for generations to come. The conversation also offers a behind-the-scenes look at how underreported rural stories like this one come to light and why they matter.

In this episode, we explore the sweeping changes taking place in Medora, North Dakota, as the town prepares for the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, scheduled for July 4th next year. The conversation highlights the transformative impact of the project on local infrastructure, tourism, and the small community of year-round residents.

Listeners get an inside look at the construction boom currently reshaping the area, including a new 100-room hotel, a roundabout, and a future event center near the Bully Pulpit golf course. As excitement builds, so does anxiety. Locals are both hopeful and uncertain about the disruptions and opportunities the influx of tourists will bring.

The episode covers:

• Why Medora is already near full capacity for the opening and why early booking is crucial
• How the library aims to turn Medora into a year-round destination
• The anticipated economic ripple effect for nearby towns like Dickinson and Bismarck
• The blend of nostalgia and anticipation as residents brace for change
• Broader implications for North Dakota tourism and statewide economic benefit

The hosts also reflect on personal visits and emphasize how the project could both preserve Medora’s charm and usher in a new era of national relevance.