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.