ND Sen Patten Recognized By North Dakota Petroleum Council

The North Dakota Petroleum Council recognized ND Senator Dale Patten Watford City for his service to the state and it's oil and gas industry at their annual meeting on Sept. 20, in Watford City. Patten was awarded NDPC's Outstanding Public Service Award for his career going above and beyond the "normal call of duty to make our state a better place to live and work". The award is designated to shine a spotlight on and thank elected officials, legislators, and public servants for "excellence in public service and their efforts to improve the business climate in the state while ensuring that all parties are treated fairly, and rules and policies are followed," according to NDPC Communications Director Reva Kautz.

Patten's life has been dedicated to his community in western North Dakota and serving the state and its people's best interests. Born in Plaza, ND, he graduated from NDSU with a degree in animal science and served as McKenzie and Slope County's extension agent for 5 years before starting at McKenzie County Bank, now Cornerstone Bank, in Watford City. He was a part of the McKenzie County Bank for 33 years, with his last held position that of market president of the bank, from which he retired in 2017. Retirement has been far from quiet for Dale, with him joining the Senate in 2019, representing McKenzie and Dunn counties in District 26. His wife, Joy, is a retired teacher, who operates a family farm and ranch in McKenzie County. His children, Kendra and Austin both live and work in Watford City; Kendra graduated from UND and teaches elementary school, and Austin graduated from NDSU with a degree in agricultural economics and works for Helena Chemical Company.

Over a lifetime of service, Dale has served on and led committees and boards anywhere from a local to the federal level. He served as McKenzie County Commissioner for 12 years and chaired the new McKenzie County Planning Commission. With the explosion of growth due to the Bakken formation's opportunities, the county needed to implement zoning for the first time. He has repeatedly stepped up to ensure his county's and state's interests are represented at the national level. Locally he has served on the McKenzie County Job Development Authority Board, Watford City Economic Development Corporation, and McKenzie County Fair Board. He currently is the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, vice chair of the Mountrail McKenzie Human Service Zone Board and the State and Tribal Relations Committee, and co-chairs the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority. Additionally, he serves on the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee, Energy Development and Transmission Committee, Tax Relief Task Force, the Energy Council, the Lignite Research Council, the ESG Study Engineering Committee, the NDSU FARMS Engine Governance Board, High-Level Radioactive Waste Advisory Committee, and the NDSU Animal Science Education Foundation.

He was chosen to receive the award not based on one piece of legislation or board position, but on a cumulative career of bringing all sides to the table to find the best solution for North Dakota communities and economy. However, a few standout pieces of his work include the elimination of the oil tax trigger, remote gas capture tax credit, restimulation tax incentive, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the Royalty Owner Ombudsman Program, and multiple record setting tax relief bills.

We congratulate Senator Patten on his achievement in earning this well-deserved award from the North Dakota Petroleum Council.