BY: MARY STEURER (North Dakota Monitor)
The North Dakota Industrial Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to select a candidate who made his career in the oil and gas industry to be the state’s top oil regulator.
Nathan Anderson is slated to take over as Department of Mineral Resources director on Sept. 16, an announcement from the Industrial Commission indicated.
“We can bring in some fresh outside, and I think important, leadership experience,” Gov. Doug Burgum said of Anderson during a Wednesday morning meeting.
Anderson will succeed Lynn Helms, who retired after nearly 20 years in the role.
Anderson lives in Colorado, but has previously worked in states including North Dakota, Texas, Ohio and Michigan.
The Minot native works for Chevron and owns a company called 3B Investments. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from North Dakota State University.
In his interview with the Industrial Commission, Anderson expressed a commitment to keeping North Dakota a competitive energy state.
“One hundred percent, North Dakota will have a seat at the energy table — and a front row seat at that,” Anderson said at the July 30 meeting.
He also highlighted his positive track record leading large teams.
Kevin Connors, assistant director for regulatory compliance and energy policy at the University of North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center, was also a finalist for the position. He works extensively with carbon capture.
The Bismarck resident has previous experience at the Department of Mineral Resources, including eight years in the Oil and Gas Division.
Members of the Industrial Commission indicated they hoped Connors would continue with his role at the Energy and Environmental Research Center.
“He’s a young guy that’s got a lot to offer to North Dakota, and we would hope that we can maintain that relationship that we have between DMR and EERC,” Burgum said, using acronyms for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and Environmental Research Center.
At its previous meeting, the commission also approved a contract to continue working with Helms until the next director is brought on.
The Industrial Commission is comprised of Burgum, Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The Department of Mineral Resources regulates North Dakota’s oil and gas industry.
Industrial Commission staff are working this week to finalize the specifics of Anderson’s job offer. The salary range for the position is $250,000 to $350,000.
