Bill > HB1574

This bill amends North Dakota law to prohibit direct air carbon dioxide capture projects in the state while expanding the Industrial Commission's regulatory authority over carbon dioxide, coal bed methane, helium, and nitrogen gas. Specifically, the bill defines "direct air carbon dioxide capture" as a process of removing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere using scrubbers and chemical processes for underground storage or product use. The Industrial Commission is now explicitly forbidden from approving or authorizing such projects. However, the prohibition does not apply to operators who already possess necessary local, state, and federal permits for direct air carbon dioxide capture projects before the law's effective date. The bill is set to be in effect through July 31, 2027, after which it will become ineffective. This legislation appears to be aimed at restricting a specific type of carbon capture technology, potentially in response to environmental, economic, or regulatory concerns specific to North Dakota.