The Lignite Energy Council recently honored 42 individuals for their dedication to the lignite industry during the Council’s 34th Annual Meeting on October 3-4, 2007, in Bismarck, ND.

“These individuals have given much of their time and energy to help sustain a strong lignite industry that benefits our region by providing a reliable, low-cost and increasingly clean source of electricity,” said John Dwyer, president of the Lignite Energy Council.

Honorees include:

• Lignite Contractor / Supplier Award: Rod Reetz of MVTL Laboratories, Inc. in appreciation for his dedicated service as a contractor/supplier to the lignite industry.

• Ambassador of Lignite Award: Dan Sharp and Dennis Boyd of MDU Resources Group, Inc; David Schouweiler and Steve Hovey of BNI Coal, Ltd; and Fred Stern of Dakota Gasification Company in appreciation for their many years of dedicated service and expertise to the lignite industry.

• Lignite Public Service Award: North Dakota Senators Randy Christmann and David O’Connell and North Dakota Representatives Alan Carlson and Joe Kroeber for their help in shepherding an appropriations bill through the 2007 North Dakota Legislature to increase funding for lignite research and development.

• Distinguished Service Award – Education: Joe Friedlander of The Coteau Properties Company; John Weeda of Great River Energy’s Coal Creek Station; and Hank LaBore for their assistance with the Lignite Energy Council Teachers Seminar.

• Distinguished Service Award - Research & Development Program: Diane Stockdill of Great River Energy’s Coal Creek Station for her expertise to the lignite industry by exploring an alternative cover demonstration project and Scott Klara of the National Energy Technology Laboratory for his help in establishing annual briefings between the lignite industry and NETL regarding clean coal technologies.

• Distinguished Service Award – Government Action Program: the Walk/Run Committee consisting of Clint Wanek of The Falkirk Mining Company; Stacey Bornemann of Minnkota Power Cooperative; Lyndon Anderson of Great River Energy; Fara Hentsch of The Coteau Properties Company; Jeff Kuch of Great River Energy’s Stanton Station; Jim Knox of BNI Coal, Ltd.; Rob McAdoo and Irene Beckman of Basin Electric Power Cooperative; Bill Weaver of Dakota Westmoreland and Mike LaLonde; along with the Golf Tournament committee consisting of Jesse Noel of Dakota Westmoreland; Gary Andersen and John Kisse of ESCO Supply; Tom Anseth of Minnkota Power Cooperative; Kevin Dissell of Basin Electric’s Leland Olds Station; Curt Kittelson of Fisher Industries; Randy Leinius of Great River Energy’s Stanton Station; Dick Melchior of Border States Electric; Jim Ronholdt of BNI Coal, Ltd.; John Weeda of Great River Energy’s Coal Creek Station; Larry Wood of Wirerope Works, Inc.; Dave Nehring of Acme Electric; Mike Cavanaugh of Dakota Gasification Company; Pat Wingenbach of Butler Machinery; Greg Dehne of The Falkirk Mining Company and Brent Sullivan of The Coteau Properties Company for their dedicated service to the lignite industry’s government action program by annually hosting the Summer Celebration Walk/Run and Golf events.

• Lignite Leadership Award: Don Shippar of ALLETE for effective leadership, initiatives and service from 2005 to 2007 as the Lignite Energy Council’s Chairman of the Board.