Gov. Dalrymple says if Minnesota energy regulators require utilities to pay more to burn coal it will hamper North Dakota's growing lignite industry, which already provides a large share of Minnesota's electric power. Regulators here imposed higher costs on coal-burners as part of a plan to require utilities to generate a quarter of their energy from renewable sources by 2024.

For many, North Dakota may never be a top winter vacation destination. In fact, The Weather Channel named Fargo "America's Toughest Weather City." However, that hasn't kept the Peace Garden State from having a successful 2011. According to the Fargo-Moorhead Forum, several magazines and websites praise NoDak for its booming economy and security.

Therefore, North Dakota officials feel the state should be exempt from a Minnesota law that requires utilities to pay more to burn coal, even those from out-of-state. It's part of Minnesota's Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 that requires new coal power emissions to be offset.

Boardings at airports at airports across North Dakota are up 22 percent in the first six months of 2012 compared to the same period last year, Forum Communications reports. Boardings at airports near the oil boom in western North Dakota have skyrocketed -- up 73 percent in Dickinson, 62 percent in Minot and 41 percent in Williston.