Kim Johnson, Fargo

I am writing with serious concerns about the proposed Bison Generation Station — a $4 billion natural gas plant. I don’t expect anything in life to be free, but I do expect a fair price for a fair product. This plant is a product, but who’s paying the price?

Basin Electric Co-op members are expected to face higher utility bills to fund this project. If I’m going to pay more, I want to know what I’m getting in return. Unfortunately, it looks like most of the benefits will go to cryptocurrency miners and large data centers — not to the families and communities footing the bill.

My friends and neighbors already line dry their laundry and can vegetables from their gardens to save money. How much more will they have to cut back just to afford rising energy costs? Most of us don’t have bitcoin wallets or crypto portfolios. Our investments are in our families and our land — real, tangible things that provide lasting value.

I must ask: why should everyday North Dakotans bear the cost of a plant that won’t directly benefit us? We’re being asked to subsidize corporations that don’t share our values or contribute to our communities. The increase in greenhouse gases, the lack of corporate accountability, and the clear prioritization of outside interests make this project feel like a bad deal.

Our land is our legacy, and our energy should serve our people — not exploit them. If corporations stand to profit from this plant, then they should be the ones paying for it — not us.

This isn’t just about energy. It’s about fairness, responsibility, and protecting the people who call this place home.