The Lignite Energy Council recently honored 17 individuals for their dedication to the lignite industry during the Council’s 33rd Annual Meeting on October 25-26, 2006, 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: Don Pesek of Northern Water Works Supply in appreciation for his dedicated service as a contractor/supplier to the lignite industry.

• Ambassador of Lignite Award: Bob Wood of MDU Resources Group, Inc. in appreciation for his many years of dedicated service and expertise to the lignite industry as a member of the Board of Directors; Fletcher Poling of Basin Electric Power Cooperative in appreciation for his many years of dedicated service and expertise to the lignite industry as a member of the Legislative Committee.

• Lignite Public Service Award: Tom Bachman, North Dakota Department of Health, for his dedicated service to the State of North Dakota in developing air pollution control policies that both protect the environment and allow for future economic growth; Dean Hildebrand (retired) of the North Dakota Game & Fish Department for his support of the lignite industry and leadership in developing multi-use reclaimed land.

• Distinguished Service Award – Education: Fred Stern, Dakota Gasification Company, for his dedicated service to the lignite industry and assistance with the Lignite Energy Council Teachers Seminar.

• Distinguished Service Award – Public Relations: Floyd Robb, Basin Electric Power Cooperative; Margaret Hodnik, Minnesota Power; Cris Kling, Otter Tail Power; and Therese LaCanne, Great River Energy, for their dedicated service in promoting coal-based electricity through image advertising.

• Distinguished Service Award - Research & Development Program: Dave Schmitz, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, for his dedicated service and expertise to the lignite industry by exploring clean coal technologies through the Research & Development Program.

• Distinguished Service Award - Research & Development Program: Bob Stobbs, Canadian Clean Power Coalition, for his dedicated service and expertise to the lignite industry by exploring clean coal technologies through the Research & Development Program.

• Distinguished Service Award – Government Action Program: Bill Libro, ALLETE/Minnesota Power, for his dedicated service to the lignite industry’s government action program and his advocacy of coal-based electricity on a national level.

• Distinguished Service Award – Government Action Program: Will Kaul, Great River Energy, for his dedicated service in developing the CapX 2020 initiative benefiting lignite and renewable developers and consumers.

• Community Service Award: Ron Harper, Basin Electric Power Cooperative; and Mike Hummel, BNI Coal, Ltd., for their community service to Bismarck State College and leadership in developing the National Energy Center of Excellence.