In an effort to
further the largest economic development project in the state, the
Industrial Commission of North Dakota today recommended that up to $10
million be made available in matching demonstration project funds for the
Lignite Vision 21 Project.
The
Industrial Commission of North Dakota is partnering with the Lignite Energy
Council on the Lignite Vision 21 Project, a state / industry partnership to
encourage construction of the next “state-of-the-art” baseload power
plant in North Dakota so it is available in the 2008-2010 timeframe.
As proposed, the Lignite Vision 21 Project is designed to meet
growing regional electrical needs and revitalize the lignite industry by
producing 3 million more tons of coal, creating 1,300 new jobs and
generating an additional $6 million annually in tax revenue.
“While
feasibility studies indicated that there are critical challenges in building
a new power plant, those challenges can be addressed through cooperation and
support of industry officials as well as the various levels of
government,” says John W. Dwyer, Chairman of the Lignite Research Council
and President of the Lignite Energy Council, Bismarck, ND.
According
to Dwyer, Phase I feasibility studies identified:
- Advanced
generation technologies that will make lignite more viable, safer and
cleaner fuel for electrical generation.
- Potential
transmission export routes that could service the expected additional
generation, while increasing stability and reliability of the existing
transmission system.
- New
environmental technologies that will result in cleaner operating
facilities and substantially reduced emissions.
Governor
Schafer said, “North Dakota’s economic growth depends on our ability to
add value to our abundant natural resources through innovation and
technology. Our Lignite Vision
21 Project combines the latest environmental and generation technologies to
provide cleaner, more affordable electricity for our region’s citizens and
businesses.”
Schafer
also indicated that the State of North Dakota will provide the necessary
regulatory assistance to help make the Lignite Vision 21 Project a
reality.
“Our
state leaders are committed to streamlining the various permitting
processes in order to shorten lead time, reduce risk and ensure a
successful investment. With
our productive work force and favorable business climate, we can help
develop and build the finest state-of-the-art electrical generating
facility in the world,” says Schafer.
The
new lignite-fired power plant would also help the state and region meet
future electricity needs.
"Projections
show that the Upper Midwest will need new sources of electricity generation
as early as 2002, due to a growing demand for electricity and because little
generation has been added in recent years or is planned in the near
future,” says Dwyer
A
major focus of the Lignite Vision 21 Project is to also develop a power
plant with the latest environmental technologies.
According
to Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp, “With over 4,000 megawatts of existing
generation, North Dakota’s lignite industry has a solid record in meeting
standards imposed by EPA and the North Dakota Department of Health.
We are one of only a handful of states to meet all federal ambient
air quality standards.”
“Not
only will the latest environmental technology that is part of our Lignite
Vision 21 Project protect our state’s environment, but it will also
provide opportunities for technology transfer in national and international
markets. Quality jobs for our
state, a clean environment and affordable energy for our region will give us
the competitive edge we need to successfully compete in the world
marketplace,” says Heitkamp.
North
Dakota Ag Commissioner Roger Johnson said, “Mining, power generation and
transmission have become as much a part of North Dakota’s landscape as the
waving wheat fields and pastures. With
our Lignite Vision 21 Project, the lignite industry will continue to be good
stewards of our natural resources in producing energy, just as farmers and
ranchers are good stewards of the resources they use in producing our
food.”
“The
lignite industry has proven to be a great partner with agriculture in
diversifying the economy of the state.
Their solid record of reclamation makes us all proud to have them as
a part of our state,” says Johnson.
The
State of North Dakota is providing seed money for the Lignite Vision 21
Project from the 10 cent per ton check-off from the coal severance tax,
which was approved for research and development purposes by voters in both
1990 and 1994, and the Legislature in establishing the state’s Lignite
Research, Development and Marketing Program and enacting biennial
appropriations.
The
Program provides matching grants to assist research and development,
preserve and enhance jobs and production, ensure economic growth and
opportunity, maintain a stable and competitive tax base, and market
coal-based electricity. The Industrial Commission of North Dakota
approves all grants for marketing, research and development.
More
information on the Lignite Vision 21 Project is available at www.lignitevision21.com.
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FURTHER
INFORMATION: Lyndon Anderson, LEC, (701) 258-7117 or Karlene Fine, NDIC,
(701) 328-3722
North Dakota’s Lignite Research,
Development and Marketing Program is a multi-million dollar state/industry
partnership that concentrates on near term, practical R&D projects that
provide the opportunity to preserve and enhance development of our state’s
abundant lignite resources. Over 18,000 jobs, $1.3 billion in business
volume, and $60 million in tax revenue are generated by the lignite industry
for the State of North Dakota each year.
