Studied Agronomy, Skjetlein Agricultural School; studied Political Science and History, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. 1995, Member, Trondheim City Council; 2001, Member, Norwegian Parliament, representing Sør-Trøndelag County; 2005-07, Member of the Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment; 2007-09, Chair of the Standing Committee on Business and Industry; 2009-11, First Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs; concurrently, Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Group Steering Committee. Currently, Minister of Petroleum and Energy and Vice-Chair of the Centre Party.