Delegation of energy leaders tours Dakota Gas

The Lignite Energy Council welcomed a delegation of energy leaders from India to North Dakota on July 13. The group included representatives from the India Ministry of Coal, Coal India Limited, and the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, who were interested in learning more about coal mining and gasification in the United States.

The itinerary, arranged by the U.S. Department of Energy Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, offered a firsthand look at the full lignite value chain, with site tours at Dakota Gasification Company (Dakota Gas), Minnkota Power Cooperative's Milton R. Young Station, and BNI Coal's Center Mine.

When visiting Dakota Gas, a subsidiary of Basin Electric, the delegation learned about the products made from lignite coal through the gasification process. The group asked questions about the attributes of lignite coal and equipment used in the gasification process and had the opportunity to tour the model room before driving through the plant site.

"The group was really engaged and asked a lot of thoughtful questions about lignite coal and how the gasification process works," Trinity Turnbow, Basin Electric vice president and plant manager at Dakota Gas, said. "It was great to show them around the plant, explain the different products we make from coal, and share some of the technology and experience we've developed here in North Dakota."