Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Event Registration
Area teachers encouraged to attend energy seminar
Basin Electric, the Lignite Energy Council and the American Coal Foundation are sponsoring a teacher seminar titled “Lignite - Our Regional Resource: Energy, Economics and Environment” at University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, June 17-19, 2008.
Anika Schaff, Basin Electric government relations secretary, urges teachers in the region to attend. “The cost of the seminar and travel expenses will be paid by Basin Electric Power Cooperative for South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana teachers,” she says. The Lignite Energy Council is providing sponsorships for North Dakota teachers who want to attend the seminar.
Now in its 23rd year, Schaff says the seminar provides teachers with a broader understanding of the lignite coal industry and the important role it plays in providing electricity to consumers, farmers and businesses. The seminar will provide teachers with the information and educational materials they need to teach their students about how lignite is mined and converted into energy. Lignite’s economic impact on the region, as well as important environmental issues affecting the mining and power plant industry will also be discussed.
The seminar includes tours of a lignite mine, a power plant fueled by lignite, and the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. The Synfuels Plant converts coal into synthetic natural gas and other valuable byproducts. A tour of the visitor’s center at Fort Mandan is also included. Fort Mandan is the location where the Lewis & Clark Expedition spent its first winter. The visitor’s center was constructed with the use of coal combustion byproducts.
The seminar is being held in cooperation with University of Mary and the Center for Economic Education at the University of North Dakota. Teachers can earn one semester graduate credit (economics - University of North Dakota) by successfully completing the seminar requirements.
Teachers from all grade levels are encouraged to apply to the program, but earth science, social studies and energy education teachers will be placed first. There are 120 spots available.
Registration information for teachers from South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana is available in the “Online registrations” section of Basin Electric’s Web site. North Dakota teachers can find more details on the seminar at www.lignite.com/teachers.
Selected teachers will be required to send in a $60 deposit that will be held and returned when registering on the first day of the seminar, June 17, 2008. They should not send the $60 deposit until they have been confirmed to attend.
Registration Form:
More Info:
For further information or to register contact Anika Schaff at 1717 E. Interstate Ave., Bismarck, ND 58503. You may also call her at 800.242.2372 or e-mail her at aschaff@bepc.com.
Basin Electric Power Cooperative
1717 East Interstate Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58503-0564 USA
701.223.0441