The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled earlier this week that Minnesota must pay North Dakota more than 1.3 million dollars in costs and attorney fees.

North Dakota incurred the costs and attorney fees in its suit again Minnesota over a 2007 Minnesota law barring utilities in that state from buying power from new plants that emit carbon dioxide. North Dakota has six coal-fired electric generating plants that export most of their electricity to other states including Minnesota.

North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem sued Minnesota in 2011. In the suit, Stenehjem said the Minnesota law attempted to regulate out-of-state utilities in violation of the Commerce Clause of the U. S. Constitution. The Commerce Clause is Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress the power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.” The lawsuit was based on the claim that Congress, not the legislature of Minnesota, has that power.

In earlier rulings, the federal courts agreed with North Dakota on the substance of the case. The ruling this week allows North Dakota to recover its expenses in the suit.

Joining the State of North Dakota in the suit were rural electric utilities and energy companies who serve the needs of consumers in the upper Midwest. They said that, left in place, the Minnesota law would have restricted North Dakota utilities from selling power into the Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) market – hurting businesses and customers in both Minnesota and North Dakota.

On news of the victory in the 8th Circuit, Stenehjem said:

The victory this week is the most recent demonstration that Wayne Stenehjem is a highly effective attorney general for the state of North Dakota.

​This four day event depicts the first 20 years of Bannack’s history. Demonstrations are historically researched, and accurately portrayed by Montana History “Live” Inc. in cooperation with Montana State Parks.
​​
​For example, instead of only being able to read a placard at a diorama of a blacksmith shop, step into the authentic blacksmith and see a real blacksmith actually working the way they did in the 1860s, and hear him give explanations of what he is doing. Step into an 1860s school room, have your children actually be taught by a teacher referencing the methods and materials of those days.

TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS:

Consider the Bannack Living History Weekend event as an excellent field trip. Thursday and Friday prior to the third full weekend in September are good days to schedule a school trip. The activities will run from 9am until 5pm Thursday through Saturday and 9 to 2 Sunday. Relive the excitement of the Gold Rush era in Montana. 
​
Reservations are required for schools so please call to arrange a time for your school to participate. This event is free to Montana residents who have paid their park fees through their vehicle registrations. Out of state vehicles pay a $6.00 park entrance fee. State Park Pass holders (free).
​
For more information or to schedule a school visit please call the park at 406-834-3413.

View official Bannack State Park video for this Living History Event below. In case of any problems with the video, click here to view it directly on YouTube.

​Judge Greg Mohr, very long time Justice of the Peace in Sidney, Montana, and his wife, Marilyn, very long time Registered Nurse in Sidney, Montana, have received sudden and devastating news. Marilyn has been diagnosed with a form of cancer that is under-publicized and frequently escapes early diagnosis. On first learning of her condition, already her cancer is stage 4.

You know what news like this would do to you and your family.

So, please, let's all add Greg, Marilyn, and their family to our daily prayers. Thank you for befriending in this way these wonderful people.