The inclusion of fictional substances is being called an embarrassment by one state official, a possible practical joke by coal industry leaders and mystifying by the lawmakers who worked on the bill.
BISMARCK — A landmark North Dakota law approved this year accidentally lumped in two fake names in a list of critical minerals that appear to be inspired by coal company lawyers who worked on the bill.
The inclusion of fictional substances is being called an embarrassment by one state official, a possible practical joke by coal industry leaders and mystifying by the lawmakers who worked on the bill.
The fake minerals are friezium and stralium, apparent references to Christopher Friez and David Straley, attorneys for North American Coal who were closely involved in drafting the bill and its amendments. Straley said they were not responsible for adding the fake names.
“I assume it was put in to embarrass us, or to make light of it, or have a practical joke,” Straley said, adding it could have been a clerical error.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring questioned the two substances listed in state law during a Wednesday meeting of the North Dakota Industrial Commission, which is poised to adopt rules based on the legislation.
“This statute and the rules would be the first in the nation,” Goehring said. “It would be kind of embarrassing for the rest of the country to look at us and say ‘Really? Do you guys even know what you’re doing?’”
Friezium and stralium first appeared in the bill on the last afternoon of the legislative session as lawmakers hurried to pass several final bills. The legislation that aims to keep North Dakota on the forefront of critical mineral development received approval from the House after 9 p.m. and the Senate after 10 p.m.
The amended bill is labeled as prepared by Legislative Council for Rep. Dick Anderson, R-Willow City, the prime sponsor and chair of the conference committee. Anderson said the amendments were prepared by a group of attorneys and legislators, including representatives from the coal industry.
