Lignite Research Program

During the 2023 legislative session, $300,000 was appropriated to the Industrial Commission to contract for carbon capture and utilization education and marketing. The Industrial Commission is soliciting applications for grant funding to aid in the development of a Carbon Capture and Utilization Education and Marketing Strategic Plan. 

The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved $11.4 million in Lignite Research, Development and Marketing Program matching grants for seven new research projects. The funding, generated from lignite severance tax as well as oil and gas production tax revenue, supports the growth of North Dakota’s lignite industry through research and education.

This order issued on the basis that the Governor is vested with the Executive authority pursuant to Article V, Section 1 or the North Dakota Constitution, and pursuant to NDCC 54-17.5-02. This order shall be effective Immediately and supersedes and replaces Executive Order 2013-05; accordingly, Executive Order 2013-05 is hereby rescinded. 

The next meeting of the Lignite Research Council has been scheduled for 1:30 pm on May 11, 2023. The meeting will be held in Room 335, Bismarck State College National Energy Center of Excellence, 1200 Schafer Street, Bismarck, ND. The Council will consider grant applications for its 102nd grant round. The deadline for submitting applications for consideration at the May 11th meeting is April 3, 2023. Applications may be submitted via email at ndicgrants@nd.gov.
 

The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved funding last week for a new lignite research project, titled "Lignite Resource Evaluation for Advanced Utilization Opportunities," that focuses on evaluating the potential for extracting rare earth elements and other critical minerals from North Dakota lignite.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) awarded $850,000 of grant funding to Semplastics for a new lignite research project on May 23, 2022. The total cost of the project is $4.2 million with the majority of the match funding coming from the U.S. Department of Energy. Other entities involved in the project are North American Coal Corp. and the Energy & Environmental Research Center.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission (Commission) today approved $1 million in grant funding for a small-scale lignite research and development (R&D) project and continuation of an ongoing carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) project. The two projects had been evaluated and recommended by the Lignite Research Council earlier in the week.

The Industrial Commission today approved the Class VI storage facility applications for North Dakota-based Minnkota Power Cooperative’s Project Tundra. The project is a $1 billion investment in carbon capture from the Milton R. Young Station in Oliver County, North Dakota.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission (Commission) today approved funding for three lignite research projects totaling $632,500. The largest award is $550,000 to develop lignite coal-based pitch for high-value carbon products.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission (Commission) approved funding totaling $970,004 for three lignite research projects. In a joint statement, the Commission consisting of Governor Doug Burgum, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, stated, “The lignite industry is always looking forward and developing new markets and new technologies to improve existing operations. The projects that we funded today will continue the success of this industry that is so important to the state and its citizens.”

The North Dakota Industrial Commission (Commission) approved funding for three new small-scale lignite research and development (R&D) projects on Nov. 23. The three projects had been evaluated and recommended by the Lignite Research Council earlier in the month.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission (Commission) approved funding for two lignite research projects on August 20. Both projects had been evaluated and recommended by the Lignite Research Council earlier in the month.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Industrial Commission has established a special grant round and is currently accepting applications through July 17th for the North Dakota Lignite Research, Development, and Marketing Program. This program funds projects that involve research and development of North Dakota’s abundant lignite resources.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) today approved funding totaling over $15 million for two lignite research projects.