Mined: Lignite Energy in America

Senator John Hoeven

Michelle Bloodworth, president and CEO of America’s Power, joined co-hosts Kate Muggerud and Geoff Simon on this week’s podcast titled “Mined: Lignite Energy in America.” Michelle talks about the blackouts in California and the need for baseload generation and what her organization is doing to keep coal-based electricity in the national energy mix. With the presidential election as a background, her insights are valuable as utilities and mining companies work with policymakers to ensure reliable electricity.   Kate and Geoff work as a team to conduct the interviews with leaders in the energy industry on a variety of topics. The goal of these podcasts is to connect with others who have the same interest and wish to become more knowledgeable about energy and emerging technologies.   Mined: Lignite Energy in America is sponsored and produced by the Lignite Energy Council, a trade association representing the power plants, mines and the Great Plains Synfuels Plant in North Dakota along with more than 300 companies that provide goods and services to the lignite industry.  Listen to full episodes on the LEC Website - https://lignite.com/what-is-lignite/podcast/ This Podcast series is also available on Spotify and Apple Radio.   

America’s Power Michelle Bloodworth talks about the value of coal-based electricity

Mined Interviews Charles Gorecki, CEO, Energy & Environmental Research Center

Two former directors and the Lignite Research Council and the current director join hosts Kate Muggerud and Geoff Simon to the talk about past, present and future of the lignite industry’s research and development partnership with the State of North Dakota’s Industrial Commission. The successes of the R&D partnership have served the industry well as new products have been discovered and commercialized and efficiencies and better environmental technologies have been achieved.

Lignite Research Council

Project Tundra: A visit with Stacey Dahl of Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.

Kari Cutting, vice president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, joined co-hosts Kate Muggerud and Geoff Simon on this week’s podcast titled “Mined: Lignite Energy in America.”Karie talks about her career both in the lignite and oil gas industries plus looks at the future and how electric utilities are looking at technologies to capture carbon dioxide. She also talks about how CO2 can be used for enhanced oil recovery in partially depleted oil fields.

North Dakota Energy Synergies

Jason Bohrer, president and CEO of the Lignite Energy Council, joined co-hosts Kate Muggerud and Geoff Simon on this week’s podcast titled “Mined: Lignite Energy in America.”Jason handles topics from power plant closures to production tax credit for wind generators to reduced electric loads due to low oil prices, the coronavirus pandemic along with other subjects of interest to the lignite industry.Kate and Geoff work as a team to conduct the interviews with leaders in North Dakota’s energy industry on a variety of topics. The goal of these podcasts is to connect with others who have the same interest and wish to become more knowledgeable about energy and emerging technologies. 

An Update from Lignite Energy Council President/CEO, Jason Bohrer

Kari Cutting, vice president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, joined co-hosts Kate Muggerud and Geoff Simon on this week’s podcast titled “Mined: Lignite Energy in America.” Karie talks about her career both in the lignite and oil gas industries plus looks at the future and how electric utilities are looking at technologies to capture carbon dioxide. She also talks about how CO2 can be used for enhanced oil recovery in partially depleted oil fields. Kate and Geoff plan to work together on future interviews with leaders in North Dakota’s energy industry on a variety of topics. The goal of these podcasts is to connect with others who have the same interest and wish to become more knowledgeable about energy and emerging technologies.  

Wes Peck, a geologist and project manager of CarbonSafe at the UND Energy & Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks is Kate Muggerud’s guest on this week’s new podcast titled “Mined: Lignite Energy in America.” Wes talks about the studies of subsurface geology that have been completed as electric utilities look to store CO2 underground. He also talks about how CO2 can be used for enhanced oil recovery in partially depleted oil fields. 

CarbonSafe in North Dakota

Jason Laumb, senior research manager at the UND Energy & Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks is Kate Muggerud’s guest on this week’s episode.Jason talks about various CO2 research and development projects that are going on at the EERC as the lignite industry works to reduce its carbon footprint. This wide-ranging interview covers everything from how the CO2 is captured at a power plant to challenges that still face utilities looking to store CO2 underground. 

CO2 Research at EERC

On this week’s episode, Kate Muggerud interviews Charlie Gorecki, chief executive officer of the UND Energy & Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks. Charlie talks about the history of the carbon dioxide storage research that has been ongoing since 2003 and the many partners who are working with EERC researchers.  He also looks ahead at projects that have been announced in North Dakota and how the state has become a leader in managing carbon dioxide through capture, utilization and storage projects.    Charlie has been with EERC for the past 12 years and was named to his current position last July. EERC performs research projects for both the lignite and oil industries. Their work with carbon dioxide involves both industries as the CO2 can be used for enhanced oil recovery. 

North Dakota’s Carbon Dioxide Leadership

On this week’s episode, Kate Muggerud interviews John Weeda, director of the North Dakota Transmission Authority. John talks about the status of the electric transmission grid and how the state exports a large percentage of the electricity it produces.   John worked more than 40 years in the state’s lignite industry before taking the reins of the North Dakota Transmission Authority.  This experience has served him well as he works with transmission grid operators, utilities and others as the state and region experiences growth not only in generation but also in customers – mostly due to the buildout of the Bakken oil fields in western North Dakota. 

Transmission Authority of North Dakota

On this week’s episode, Kate Muggerud interviews Mike Holmes, vice president of research and development for the Lignite Energy Council. Mike talks about emerging markets for the lignite industry .   Currently, about 80 percent of the lignite mined annually in North Dakota is used to generate electricity, but that is likely to change in the future as technology advances. Mike talks about the current industry and then looks ahead at the opportunities that lie ahead for turning lignite into new commercial uses – such as fertilizers, activated char, greenhouses, etc.    

Emerging Markets

On this week’s episode, Kate Muggerud interviews Dale Johnson, plant manager at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, Beulah, North Dakota. Dale talks about changes occurring at the synfuels plant and how Dakota Gasification Company is now marketing 13 different products.   The plant was originally built in the 1980s to turn ample reserves of lignite coal into synthetic natural gas. However, with the recent completion of the $740 million urea plant at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, DGC is now making the majority of its revenue from the sale of three nitrogen-based fertilizers – urea, anhydrous ammonia and ammonia sulfate. For more information, visit www.lignite.com.  

Nitrogen Fertilizers

Electric Vehicles

Each week, host Kate Muggerud explores the world of all things lignite energy, energy resources and emerging markets. Kate partners with the Lignite Energy Council based in North Dakota. Join her as she interviews the top movers and shakers in the energy market.

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Mined: Lignite Energy in America

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