Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer says officials still expect pipelines, transmission lines, wind turbines and other energy projects to take shape in North Dakota this year, but just how quickly will depend on the economy.
"We are seeing some people rolling back their plans a little bit and starting to hesitate a little bit," Cramer said. "The aggressive development into the future is a little bit uncertain at this point.
Lower crude oil prices could have an impact, he said.
"When it comes to renewable energy development, we are especially seeing some concerns raised because, of course, we're seeing traditional energy costs coming back down," Cramer said. "With the price of oil coming back down, there's not quite the same sense of urgency about renewable development."
Officials say the economic slump is making more difficult to raise capital, and that could slow plans for projects not yet started.
In Montana, officials say enough wind energy to power up to 37,800 homes hit the state's electrical grid in 2008, and projects already under way could double that over the next year.
"Traditionally, wind energy development has been pretty financially secure," Chantel McCormick, a senior energy development specialist with the Montana Department of Commerce, told the Great Falls Tribune. "So I think we're going to be OK."
"We're just hoping to build what we've already started," she said.
Bismarck-based Montana-Dakota Utilities owns the 19.5-megawatt Diamond Willow Wind Farm, which went on line near Baker in eastern Montana. MDU is planning a 10.5-megawatt expansion in 2009, McCormick said.
