North Dakota is ranked among nine states as having the cleanest air in the nation, according to the 2003 report from the Corporation for Enterprise Development, a nonprofit corporation that promotes economic development.
The eight other states receiving the highest ranking for air quality are Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina, Vermont and West Virginia.
CFED relies on data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards and the Information Transfer & Program Integration Division, along with calculations made by the National Center for Health Statistics to rank the states best on air quality standards.
The EPA also ranks North Dakota as one of only 16 states to meet all the federal government's ambient air quality standards, which includes the primary emissions typically associated with coal-based energy conversion plants -- sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.
North Dakota has one of the few proven carbon sequestration projects underway. Carbon dioxide from the Great Plains Synfuels Plant at Beulah is transported via pipeline to Weyburn, Sask., where the gas is sequestered in depleted oil reservoirs after being used for secondary oil recovery purposes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Utilities in North Dakota have invested more than $700 million in emissions control technology to protect the environment, according to Steve Van Dyke of Partners for Affordable Energy, a coal industry organization. The operation costs for this equipment is about $55 million annually.
"North Dakotans enjoy the cleanest air in the United States," Van Dyke said.
Home-based talk
The Small Business Administration is hosting "Product to Market: Success Factors for Home-Based Businesses" at 6 p.m. Monday at Job Service North Dakota, 1350 32nd St. S., Fargo.
Boyd Wright of Wright Made Products and Eric Giltner of the SBA are presenters. Cost is $10. To register, call (701) 239-5045 or e-mail to ecnd@qwest.net .
Low cost of living
Fargo-Moorhead comes out looking good in the American Chambers of Commerce Researchers Association cost of living index study.
The ACCRA third-quarter report for 2003 scores Fargo-Moorhead with a 92, compared with a national average of 100.
ADVERTISEMENT
The report measures more than 60 variables for metropolitan areas, including the cost of consumer goods and services.
"This study complements all the other studies that herald Fargo as a great place to love, play and work," said Brian Walters, president of the Fargo-Cass County Economic Development Corp.
By comparison, Grand Forks, N.D., scored a 94.5, Bismarck, a 93 and Minneapolis-St. Paul a 110.
Rooms at the inn
Fargo Super 8 Motel & Suites once again this holiday season is offering its "Rooms at the Inn" program.
The program offers free accommodations to family members and friends visiting those in nursing homes, hospitals, veterans homes and other treatment facilities.
The program was inspired by one started by hoteliers and Super 8 franchise owners Gary and Linda Tharaldson in 1987. Since its inception, Super 8 properties across North America have given away more than 11,000 rooms.
Rooms at the Fargo property are available Wednesday and Thursday of next week and Dec. 24 and 25. For more information, call the motel at (701) 232-9202.
ADVERTISEMENT
Scooping up honors
How Swheat it is!
Pet Care Systems of Detroit Lakes, Minn., the maker of Swheat Scoop Natural Wheat Litter, won its first Industry Recognition Award at the recent Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show.
The award was one of four made in the "cats" category by subscribers to Pet Business magazine. The award is given for products that make a significant impact on retailing.
Swheat Scoop is a biodegradable, scoopable litter made from naturally processed wheat.
Readers can reach Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583 or Gerry Gilmour at (701) 241-5560
