Features 
Tesoro breaks ground on refinery expansion
By HANNA BUSH Bismarck Tribune Construction has started on the expansion of Tesoro Corp.’s crude oil refinery in Mandan, spurred by oil development in western North Dakota, a growing demand for diesel fuel and some timely help from the weather. The company announced its plan to expand the plant in March. The goal is to [...]
Wind Grows Louder
Despite its detractors, wind energy is growing in North Dakota By CHRISTOPHER BJORKE The grandparents of today’s North Dakotans knew how to harness wind to power water pumps. The picturesque windmills that were fixtures on prairie farms are a far cry from the industrial wind turbines that have sprung up across the plains. Modern turbines [...]
Oil purification system generates buzz
There’s nothing unusual about the afternoon–chilly winter days are practically dime a dozen in North Dakota, after all–but there is something unique about how Doug Mickelson is spending it: he’s getting an oil change. It’s not your average oil, though, that’s going into Mickelson’s car; the Horace resident has brought his oil from home, fresh [...]
Dorgan wants deposit below Bakken studied
By JAMES MacPHERSON Associated Press Writer BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Government scientists should try to find out how much crude can be recovered from a promising reservoir beneath North Dakota’s already prolific oil patch, Sen. Byron Dorgan says. The U.S. Geological Survey says a study now would be premature. The Three Forks-Sanish formation is made [...]