Chris Olson

Environment / Energy Utility companies are monopolies — you can't switch providers when treated unfairly. Chris will be a commissioner who listens, responds, and fights for you. The Commission isn't for big corporations or special interests — it's for you. Environment / Energy Chris opposed the PSC's Summit Carbon pipeline decision overriding local county setback ordinances. Counties know their land and people — they should have final say on where hazardous infrastructure goes. Chris will fight to restore local control and ensure companies earn community trust before profiting from our land. Environment / Energy Massive data centers consume as much electricity as entire towns and strain infrastructure without paying proportionally. North Dakotans shouldn't subsidize Silicon Valley's AI ambitions through higher bills. Chris will use the PSC's new authority to require data centers to cover their true costs, including grid upgrades and capacity expansions. These companies can afford it, and our residents deserve protection from cost-shifting. Environment / Energy Wind and solar are intermittent, but your lights need to work every day. North Dakota's lignite provides reliable baseload power that keeps the grid stable and rates affordable. Chris has worked in coal mines and power plants — he understands what it takes to keep energy flowing and why abandoning proven sources is reckless. The grid needs updates to handle growing demand, but utilities shouldn't use "modernization" as a blank check. Chris will demand detailed justification for infrastructure spending, competitive bidding, and proof ratepayers get value for their money. Upgrades should be cost-effective and focused on reliability — not gold-plated projects padding corporate profits. Infrastructure / Transportation Your land is your legacy. No corporation should take it without consent — especially for private profit. Chris will oppose permits that enable eminent domain abuse for projects like carbon pipelines benefiting out-of-state corporations. When infrastructure crosses private land, landowners deserve fair compensation and enforceable agreements holding companies accountable. Environment / Energy North Dakota families can't afford runaway utility bills. Chris will scrutinize rate increase requests, demand accountability for spending, and fight to keep costs down. That means supporting the lignite industry that has kept rates among the nation's lowest, questioning expensive mandates without proven value, and ensuring new energy users — like massive data centers — pay their fair share instead of passing costs to you.