Lignite Energy Council

Today is North Dakota Miner’s Day. Established by the Legislature in 2025 to honor the miners who power our state, support our economy, and keep electricity reliable and affordable. We thank you today and every day.

A great day for coal in North Dakota!

The HEART OF AMERICAN ENERGY is coal! Powering American industries and homes, providing 19% of America’s electricity, generating 24/7 energy—coal has fueled our nation for centuries and will for years to come! bit.ly/45Fo4PB

Meet the 2025 Jeff Burgess Memorial Scholarship recipients: Moorea Knapp (Century High School) and Samuel Benson (Underwood High School)! Both students have had outstanding academic careers, participated in many extracurricular activities, and dedicated numerous hours to volunteer work. Moorea plans to study Public Health at the University of Alabama, and Samuel will study Chemistry and Geology at Minot State University. The LEC is honored to award this year's scholarships to these bright students and is excited to see what their futures hold! Be on the lookout for the full news release at lignite.com.

What you need to know about North Dakota’s lignite coal industry. 👇 ✔️It generates $5.49 billion in annual gross business volume ✔️Delivers more than $100 million in state and local tax revenues ✔️Supports 12,000 direct and secondary jobs in the state #ThisIsCoalCountry #SupportNDCoal #CoalBuildsThis #MineToMainStreet Want more? bit.ly/4hUCXSq

What you need to know about North Dakota’s lignite coal industry. 👇 ✔️It generates $5.49 billion in annual gross business volume ✔️Delivers more than $100 million in state and local tax revenues ✔️Supports 12,000 direct and secondary jobs in the state #ThisIsCoalCountry #SupportNDCoal #CoalBuildsThis #MineToMainStreet Want more? bit.ly/4hUCXSq

Attention all high school seniors: Today is the LAST DAY TO APPLY for the Jeff Burgess Memorial Scholarship! Eligible students for the scholarship will be: 1. Be graduating from a high school in Burleigh, Mercer, McLean, Morton, or Oliver County 2. Be in good academic standing 3. Going into a science/engineering-related field at the college or university or level Apply online at: ndcf.net/receive/schola…

Attention all educators in the Upper Midwest! The 2025 Lignite Education Seminar: Energy, Economics, and Environment is fast-approaching. Join us June 9-12 as we "teach the teachers" the material you need to teach your students about how lignite coal is mined and used to generate electricity for homes, farms, and businesses in the Upper Midwest. There is no cost to attend - though a $60 refundable deposit is required to secure your spot at the seminar. Follow the link to the full press release: bit.ly/4bHWWlK Apply for the seminar here: bit.ly/4kwFGno

Check out the latest episode of the Lignite Energy Council Podcast - featuring the CEO of Minnkota Power and the Chairman of the LEC Board of Directors, Mac McLennan! During the podcast, McLennan and Jonathan Fortner, Interim President and CEO of the LEC, discuss various topics such as regulatory shifts, economic opportunities, and industry challenges. Follow the links below to listen to full the episode on Spotify or Apple: Spotify: spoti.fi/3XX3uqJ Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3Rgw1Us

What you need to know about North Dakota’s lignite coal industry. 👇 ✔️It generates $5.49 billion in annual gross business volume ✔️Delivers more than $100 million in state and local tax revenues ✔️Supports 12,000 direct and secondary jobs in the state #ThisIsCoalCountry #SupportNDCoal #CoalBuildsThis #MineToMainStreet Want more? bit.ly/4hUCXSq

High School Seniors of Burleigh, Morton, Mercer, McLean, and Oliver Counties - don't miss out on applying for the 2025 Jeff Burgess Memorial Scholarship! Give yourself a chance to earn $1,000 towards your future education! Applications close on April 1st. Apply by following the link below: ndcf.net/receive/schola…

What you need to know about North Dakota’s lignite coal industry. 👇 ✔️It generates $5.49 billion in annual gross business volume ✔️Delivers more than $100 million in state and local tax revenues ✔️Supports 12,000 direct and secondary jobs in the state #ThisIsCoalCountry #SupportNDCoal #CoalBuildsThis #MineToMainStreet Want more? bit.ly/4hUCXSq

"This week’s announcement from the EPA is nothing short of a bombshell, and for once, it’s a good one for America’s energy future. After years of regulatory overreach, Washington is finally recognizing the reality that affordable, reliable energy is not the enemy. The EPA’s decision to roll back harmful regulations and formally reconsider the 2009 Endangerment Finding is a long-overdue course correction. For too long, misguided federal policies have put politically motivated climate goals ahead of practical energy needs stifling innovation, driving up costs for families, and undermining the very industries that keep the lights on. For years, we have been fighting against extreme regulatory overreach that threatened to cripple our energy industry under the guise of environmentalism. Even with this positive movement, the fight isn’t over. We will keep pushing for energy reliability, affordability, and a common-sense approach to regulation." - Jason Bohrer, Lignite Energy Council Read this story and other by visiting our website at: lignite.com/americas-energ…

What you need to know about North Dakota’s lignite coal industry. 👇 ✔️It generates $5.49 billion in annual gross business volume ✔️Delivers more than $100 million in state and local tax revenues ✔️Supports 12,000 direct and secondary jobs in the state #ThisIsCoalCountry #SupportNDCoal #CoalBuildsThis #MineToMainStreet Want more? bit.ly/4hUCXSq

The Lignite Energy Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Fortner as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 17, 2025. "I am truly honored to take on the role of Interim President and CEO of the Lignite Energy Council,” said Fortner. “The coal industry is at a pivotal moment, and I am committed to ensuring that the LEC continues to be a strong advocate for our members, providing a voice for the miners, plant workers, and communities who keep the lights on and ensuring the delivery of affordable and reliable electricity for North Dakotans and the region." Read the full release here: bit.ly/41GeOKe

What you need to know about North Dakota’s lignite coal industry. 👇 ✔️It generates $5.49 billion in annual gross business volume ✔️Delivers more than $100 million in state and local tax revenues ✔️Supports 12,000 direct and secondary jobs in the state #ThisIsCoalCountry #SupportNDCoal #CoalBuildsThis #MineToMainStreet Want more? bit.ly/4hUCXSq

The Lignite Energy Council strongly supports North Dakota Attorney General @DrewWrigley's decision to challenge the Bureau of Land Management’s overreaching amendments that threaten the future of responsible energy development in North Dakota. These amendments impose unnecessary restrictions that disregard the state’s rich history of balancing energy production with environmental stewardship. We stand with state leadership in defending North Dakota’s right to develop its resources responsibly and ensuring that federal policies do not unfairly hinder the industries that power our homes, businesses, and economy. #ThisIsCoalCountry #minetomainstreet

North Dakota House passes bill to implement annual sessions: House Bill 1408 received recommendations to pass from both the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. inforum.com/news/north-dak…

Lignite Energy Council Announces Departure of President & CEO Jason Bohrer: Lignite Energy Council President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Bohrer has announced plans to leave the Lignite Energy Council and continue his career in Washington, DC. The LEC Board of Directors will be engaged in a comprehensive process to select a successor to Bohrer. Read the full release here: bit.ly/3QyRSpZ