ND coal industry looks at its future
If the EPA gets its way, it will cost some of the state’s power plants hundreds of millions of dollars to change some of its technology. The Lignite Energy Council meeting helped build support among the state’s lignite industry.
KFYR TV
- October 6, 2011
Michelle San Miguel
Watch the story here: ND coal industry looks at its future
The coal industry is one of the driving forces behind North Dakota’s economy, bringing in about $3 billion every year.
The coal industry employs more than 27,000 people around the state. And you can pretty much expect it won’t slow down within our lifetime.
There’s plenty of coal in North Dakota. About 25 billion tons still haven’t been mined. With our current technology, that’s enough coal to last us for 800 years.
“The lignite industry is one of them that’s very stable since 1988,” said Steve Van Dyke, who’s on the Lignite Energy Council. “About 30 million tons of lignite has been mined or produced, sold to the regional power plants every year. And it’s very consistent. Electricity is something that, you know, people need.”
And just how much electricity they’re generating was one of the things discussed at the meeting. The meeting also gives the state’s seven power plants and four mines a chance to talk with suppliers and contractors about materials and technology they need.
Van Dyke said, “Some of these plants have been online for 30 years and over that amount of time, certainly we’ve seen the influx of computer technology, things that were done 30 years ago are done completely different now.”
The meeting comes just a week before the Environmental Protection Agency will be in Bismarck talking with energy leaders about taking partial control over the state’s regional haze program.
If the EPA gets its way, it will cost some of the state’s power plants hundreds of millions of dollars to change some of its technology. the meeting helped build support among the state’s lignite industry.
“It helps to give an understanding across the board at some facilities that don’t have to deal with it. And they understand more of what certain facilities are gonna run into and the impact,” said Mark Thompson, the Leland Olds Station plant manager.
And that impact could mean higher utility rates for consumers.
Gov. Jack Dalrymple spoke at today’s meeting and he said the most important thing the lignite industry can do to drive the state’s economy forward is to provide electricity at a reasonable rate.Headquarters
1717 East Interstate Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58503-0564 USA
Phone: 701.223.0441
Basin Electric Power Cooperative will provide cost-effective wholesale energy along with products and services that support and unite rural America.
