The Lignite Energy Council (LEC) is conducting the 2026 Teacher Seminar, “Energy, Economics and Environment,” at the Bismarck State College in Bismarck, ND, June 8-11, 2026. Basin Electric will pay travel costs for teachers from South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming and Iowa, and LEC will cover the rest.
Basin Electric encourages member cooperatives and statewide organizations to communicate this seminar to area teachers. “It's a great opportunity for educators to take a deep dive into the lignite coal-powered sector of the energy industry," said Erin Laverdure, project coordination representative for Basin Electric. "We would like to get as many educators involved as possible." In 2025, Basin Electric sponsored three teachers.
This seminar will provide teachers with the information and educational materials they need to teach their students about how lignite is mined and used to produce electricity for homes, farms and businesses in the Upper Midwest. In addition, the seminar covers lignite’s economic impact on the region, as well as important environmental issues affecting the lignite industry.
Two graduate professional development credits are available through the Center for Economic Education at the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, or Minot State University.
Teachers can learn more and apply online: www.lignite.com/teachers
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, until the seminar is full at approximately 75 registrants. A $60 deposit is required to reserve each teacher’s spot, and can be submitted online. This deposit will be returned when they check in at the seminar.
Teachers must track their mileage and individual meal expenses (up to two each way) from home to the seminar and back. Receipts for meals are required. Packets with travel expense reimbursement forms will be given to the teachers at the seminar. Reimbursement forms are due July 10, 2026.
Retha Mattern at the Lignite Energy Council can answer questions related to the teacher seminar: rethamattern@lignite.com or 800-932-7117.
Erin Laverdure can answer questions regarding Basin Electric’s sponsorship of teachers from SD, MN, MT, WY and IA: elaverdure@bepc.com or 701-557-5625.
