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HCR 3015

A concurrent resolution urging the Southwest Power Pool and Midcontinent Independent System Operator to promptly and decisively act to maintain the reliability of the bulk power system by addressing market failures that have allowed capacity retirements to outpace replacement.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Dick Anderson and 9 co-sponsors

Urge SPP and MISO to act now to preserve bulk power reliability by valuing all generation for reliability and ensuring dispatchable resources are fairly compensated and available.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/21
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Bill Summary · HCR 3015

North Dakota House Concurrent Resolution No. 3015 (HCR 3015) – Summary

Overview

HCR 3015 is a concurrent resolution (Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly) urging the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) to act promptly to preserve bulk power system reliability. It frames recent capacity retirements as market failures and calls for policy changes to ensure dispatchable resources are fairly valued and available to meet demand.

Purpose and intent

  • Emphasize that North Dakota’s citizens’ welfare and economic security depend on a reliable, affordable, and resilient electric grid.
  • Urge SPP and MISO to address market failures that have allowed capacity retirements to outpace replacement.
  • Direct North Dakota state agencies to advocate for policies that ensure dispatchable baseload energy resources are fairly compensated and that all generation resources are valued by their contributions to grid reliability.
  • Promote a balanced energy mix where thermal, renewable, and emerging resources are valued for reliability, affordability, and resilience.
  • Highlight concerns raised by FERC and NERC about grid reliability and resource adequacy, particularly in the MISO and SPP regions.

Key provisions and changes proposed

  • Urgency for SPP and MISO to take “immediate and decisive actions” to maintain bulk power reliability.
  • Policy directive to the Public Service Commission (PSC) and North Dakota Transmission Authority (NDTA) to advocate for:
    • Fair compensation for dispatchable baseload resources.
    • Accurate valuation of all generation resources based on their contributions to grid reliability.
    • Ensuring generation is available at all hours to meet demand.
  • Market reform emphasis:
    • Value critical reliability attributes identified by MISO (six attributes: availability, energy assurance, fuel assurance, rapid start-up capability, ramp-up capability, voltage stability) within market pricing mechanisms.
    • Reconsider market structures to reflect a balanced energy mix that supports reliability, affordability, and resilience.
  • Recognition that renewable mandates alone do not fully account for reliability impacts or the availability of dispatchable generation during peak demand and extreme weather.
  • Historical/policy context references:
    • References to “unleashing American energy” and related executive actions.
    • Support for a diversified North Dakota energy strategy (thermal, renewable, and emerging technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization, and storage).

Who is affected

  • Regional grid operators: SPP and MISO (infrastructure planning and market design).
  • North Dakota state agencies: PSC and NDTA (advocacy and policy influence within regional markets).
  • Dispatchable baseload resources (e.g., coal, natural gas) and other generation resources whose reliability contributions would be valued.
  • Renewable energy developers and market participants within the SPP/MISO footprint.
  • North Dakota residents and consumers (indirectly, through reliability and price impacts).
  • Federal (FERC) and state stakeholders (ND Congressional Delegation) recipients of the resolution’s copies.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced: January 30, 2025.
  • Legislative actions leading to passage in late Feb–Mar 2025:
    • Committee hearings and “do pass” recommendations (February 13–21, 2025).
    • Second readings and adoption (February 20 and March 14, 2025).
    • Returned to House, signed by President, and by the Speaker (March 17–20, 2025).
    • Filed with Secretary of State: March 21, 2025.
  • Status: Filed with Secretary of State; classification: concurrent resolution (non-binding, symbolic expression of legislative intent).

Notable details

  • Cites concerns from FERC and NERC about reliability risks due to rapid retirements and delays in replacement capacity.
  • Highlights six “critical reliability attributes” valued by MISO.
  • Includes explicit instruction to forward copies to FERC, PSC, NDTA, the North Dakota Congressional Delegation, MISO, and SPP.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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