Lignite Energy Council

06/08/2026

Our 40th annual Lignite Education Seminar is underway!

We have a great lineup of speakers and industry experts talking about lignite coal and the energy industry tapped for this week. About 45 teachers from North Dakota and the surrounding region are spending the next four days with us, taking part in tours, interactive learning, and creating hands on activities they can take back to their classroom.

06/05/2026

Coal-fired power plants provide around-the-clock electricity, maintain fuel supplies on-site, and offer the resilience needed to support military installations, critical infrastructure, manufacturing, and emerging industries.

North Dakota’s lignite industry is uniquely positioned to help meet these national priorities. Our state is home to abundant coal reserves, highly efficient mine-mouth power plants, and a workforce that has delivered reliable, affordable electricity for generations. Investments in coal generation strengthen not only our electric grid but also support thousands of jobs, local communities, and the nation’s energy security.

https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_d4f629e1-95db-40e9-be20-166f9875c588.html

President Donald Trump announced a $425 million investment to support coal plants across the country, including in North Dakota.

06/01/2026

⚾️ COAL COUNTRY SUMMER GIVEAWAY! ⚾️

We're giving away tickets to THREE upcoming Bismarck Larks games!

🏆 June 1 (tonight!) – STEM Night
Explore hands-on STEM activities, live experiments, and the STEM Expo before the game. Stop by the Lignite Energy Council table and say hello!

🏆 June 2 – Classic Larks Baseball Fun
A great night at the ballpark with family, friends, and America's pastime.

🏆 June 3 – City of Bismarck Night
Meet city employees, cheer on firefighters and police officers in a tug-of-war challenge, see Rosa the Bat Dog, and visit adoptable pets from local rescues.

TO ENTER:
⚾ Comment which game you'd like to attend:
🔬 STEM Night (June 1)

🍿 Classic Larks Fun (June 2)
🏙️ City of Bismarck Night (June 3)

We'll randomly draw winners for each game and notify them by message.

05/29/2026

North Dakota's lignite industry may soon play an even bigger role in America's energy and manufacturing future.

Critical minerals are used in electronics, energy technologies, manufacturing, and national defense. Expanding the ability to recover and refine these materials here in North Dakota could create new economic opportunities while adding value to the state's existing energy resources.

This highlights something we've long known: lignite coal is more than just a fuel source. It is a resource with the potential to support new technologies, new markets, and new economic opportunities. .

The University of North Dakota is looking to expand its ability to pull minerals needed for electronics by building a refining facility at a coal mine.

05/27/2026

Voting is still open! Let us know when you made your choice below and you will be entered to win tickets for June 5.

Nominate the final winner!

05/25/2026

⚾️ Are you ready for some baseball?

🧑‍🏫 We’re teaming up with KFYR-TV to let YOU vote for this year’s Teacher of the Year - Kids Choice Awards. Students nominated, now the community has a say in who will walk away with a $1,000 STEM grant and $250 for classroom supplies. 🤑

✅ Make your choice at https://www.kfyrtv.com/2026/05/18/kids-choice-awards-final-teacher-nomination, then comment VOTE below for your chance to win four tickets to the first Friday night game of the season - June 5 - complete with VIP parking, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and drink tabs!

Voting ends May 29.

Nominate the final winner!

05/22/2026

There's still time to register for the Lignite Education Seminar, held in Bismarck on June 8-11!

This FREE seminar is designed for teachers, career counselors, and school administrators, and is a great way to learn about North Dakota's lignite coal industry and the impact it has on the region.

It's four days of fun, jam-packed with information, tours, and hands-on activities, as well as opportunities to meet and swap ideas with other educators from around the region. Housing is available.

Learn more and register at lignite.com/teachers

Know a teacher who should attend? Send them this post.

05/20/2026

✨The Bismarck Larks season is just days away!

⚾️ We’ve got 4 Suite Seat tickets up for grabs for May 26 & May 27. Tickets come with VIP parking, all-you-can-eat buffet, and three drink tabs. 🍔

🙌 Here’s your chance to win…

✅ Like this post
✅ Comment with your favorite ballpark snack
✅ Tag who you’d bring to the game

📣 Winners announced tomorrow (Thursday).

05/18/2026

🇺🇸 Celebrating America’s 250th the Coal Country way.

We’re bringing back Coal Country Summer with giveaways and ticket drawings all season long.

From Medora to the racetrack to the ballpark, we’ll be giving away tickets and prizes to celebrate the people, places, and traditions that make this region special.

Follow along, watch for giveaway posts, and celebrate summer with us in coal country.

05/12/2026

Our Executive VP of Research & Development was honored by the North Dakota Industrial Commission today. Over his career, Mike Holmes has used his technical expertise to advance carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies, supported the development of critical minerals and rare earth element opportunities, and promoted value-added uses of lignite coal - and much, much more that benefits North Dakota's fifth largest industry. Thank you for all of the work you've done for North Dakota. We wish you well in your retirement this summer!