Media Alert: Thompson to speak in Bismarck About Bakken East Pipeline Deal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2026
CONTACT:
Sandra Larson, Policy Development Specialist
Thompson for North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner
701-399-6203
PRESS CONFERENCE: Industrial Commission's Vote to Subsidize Secretive Pipeline Project Associated With Data Centers
BISMARCK – Vern Thompson, Candidate for North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner, will hold a press conference Monday, May 4, 10:00 a.m. at the North Dakota Kennedy Center addressing the Industrial Commission’s April 28th vote to give WBI Energy $500 million in financial support for their Bakken East natural gas pipeline.
The proposed pipeline path directly correlates with existing and proposed data center locations. How much of the natural gas is dedicated to consumers and small businesses? How much is dedicated to data centers?
North Dakotans deserve transparency. Stakeholders, landowners, and elected officials are invited to participate and have their voices heard at this press conference.
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About Vern Thompson, candidate for North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner
Vern Thompson has spent his life working: farming, trucking hazardous bulk liquids, serving in the state legislature, leading as mayor of Minnewaukan during the Devils Lake flood fight, and calling fouls as a basketball referee. Vern knows a rigged game when he sees one — and he’s running to call it out. He's running for Agriculture Commissioner to blow the whistle on a system that's rigged against farmers, consumers, and rural families. For Vern, the people of North Dakota always come before the powerful. Thompson4ND.com