Oyewunmi took part in a UND Bus Tour that visited Falkirk Coal Mine .
Oyewunmi with other new UND professors at a faculty retreat in Bemidji , Minn .
The bus tour also made a stop at Theodore Roosevelt National Park . western part of the state . I think many other opportunities exist to develop other industries powered by natural gas in North Dakota , which would be good for resource utilization , the state ’ s economy , and the environment as flaring is reduced efficiently .
We also toured the Falkirk Coal Mine – which represents one of the main industries in my recent research activities on decarbonization and economies reliant on hydrocarbons for energy security and energy supply reliability . We learned about how the company revitalizes the land after the mining ends and attempts to restore it to its natural state before mining begins . It was interesting to observe the mining operation in real life and note how the industry has evolved from what it was decades ago compared to nowadays and how it adapts to emerging environmental laws and regulations . It is also interesting to note the potential and growing interests regarding technologies such as carbon capture , utilization , and storage .
I was also pleased to meet many UND alumni and other people throughout the state . For example , I spoke with UND School of Law alumni Brady Pelton ( vice president and general counsel with the North Dakota Petroleum Council ) and Meggi Ihland Pelton ( associate with Maring Williams Law Office in Bismarck ). I was honored to meet Justice Gerald VandeWalle of the North Dakota Supreme Court . I was also introduced to Tom Oakland , Energy
Oyewunmi ' s children , Philip and Victoria , at Theodore Roosevelt National Park .
Research and Development manager with the North Dakota Department of Commerce . I look forward to collaborating with them and others in the legal and energy fields throughout North Dakota .
I also enjoyed revisiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park , which my family and I had discovered in June during our move to Grand Forks , as well as learning about the many other sights we explored on the bus tour throughout the state .
What do you and your family like about the Grand Forks community ?
My wife , Tayo , and I have two wonderful children . Victoria ( 9 ) particularly likes her science and art classes at Discovery Elementary School . She wants to be an engineer and loves playing tennis and soccer . Philip ( 5 ) has been making new friends at St . Michael ’ s Elementary School and is especially interested in space , astronauts , and Paw Patrol . He was thrilled I had toured UND ’ s Space Studies program while visiting the university during my interview process with the law school . I brought them chippers and treats from Widman ’ s Candy Shop , which we will surely visit again . We enjoy riding bikes on the Greenway along the Red River . Texas Roadhouse and Pizza Ranch are our favorite restaurants in Grand Forks so far . We look forward to continuing to explore Grand Forks and our new home state of North Dakota . We plan to visit the Fargo Air Museum soon . During our move from Oregon to Grand Forks , my family stopped overnight in Medora , where we explored Theodore Roosevelt National Park and were excited to find the wild horses and prairie dogs . We love the big sky , wide-open spaces , and beautiful topography throughout North Dakota .
Julia Ernst is the Associate Dean for Teaching and Engagement and Professor , UND School of Law ( julia . ernst @ law . und . edu ). The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity .
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