Remembering former Basin Electric employee Kent Janssen

Kent Janssen, former vice president and chief operating officer at Dakota Gasification Company (Dakota Gas), passed away on May 30, 2026.

Janssen was a key figure in developing lignite as an energy resource. His work was instrumental in meeting the growing energy demands of rural America, including overseeing major power plant construction and guiding the Great Plains Synfuels Plant through its early decade of operations. He also played a significant leadership role after Basin Electric acquired the Synfuels Plant in 1988.

Prior to Dakota Gas, Janssen worked at the Leland Olds Station and later supervised construction of the Laramie River Station and other major projects. He also led negotiations with American Natural Gas Company on a pioneering joint project that combined a coal gasification facility with a power plant.

In addition to his leadership roles, Janssen contributed to technological innovation, particularly in developing dry scrubber systems to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants. His work helped make these systems a widely adopted, cost-effective environmental solution and earned national recognition in 1980.

"He had a tremendous analytical ability, and I considered him my mentor," Mark Foss, former senior vice president and general counsel at Basin Electric, said. "He laid the foundation for so much of the success we have enjoyed at Basin Electric."

Janssen retired from Dakota Gas in September 1998 after a career spanning more than 30 years. In 2008, he received the Cooperative Spirit Award for his dedication and commitment to Basin Electric and its membership.