What is the Lignite Vision 21 Project?
The Lignite Vision 21 Project is the culmination of unprecedented commitment and cooperation among government agencies, elected leadership and the lignite industry. It is a vision of a vibrant economy, fueled by environmentally responsible power generation and transmission. The goal of the Lignite Vision 21 Project is nothing short of the finest coal-fired generating plant in the world, employing the latest clean-coal technolo
gy to provide energy for a rapidly growing region.
The Industry Commission is investing substantial resources in research and marketing strategy development to address four issues of critical importance to the future of North Dakota and our region.
1. Advanced Generation: First and foremost, this project seeks to meet rapidly growing demand for electrical energy. Technological advances have made low-grade coal like lignite a more viable, safer and cleaner fuel for electrical generation. These new technologies will be employed in a power plant that meets high generation output goals at low cost-to-performance ratios with substantially reduced emissions.
2. Transmission: Transmission in our region is now nearing capacity. The Lignite Vision 21 Project is addressing the expected increase in demand on our transmission infrastructure by contracting for a comprehensive review and analysis and recommending additions and improvements in the delivery system. An export route has already been identified that will service the expected additional generation while increasing stability and reliability. More analyses are required to identify and solve any remaining system issues that will need to be addressed.
3. Environment: International pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combined with our nation's increasing reliance on imported fossil fuels, point to the need for more environmentally effective power technology. While it would be anticipated that new generation facilities would impact North Dakota's environment, this new plant's emissions are projected to be less than 10 percent of the total emissions from some existing plants. The lignite industry has proven itself a responsible partner in developing North Dakota's natural resources. In fact, North Dakota is one of only a select number of states in the nation to meet all federal ambient air quality standards. The Lignite Vision 21 Project continues that tradition with comprehensive environmental analysis as an integral component of every stage of development. One of the most exciting aspects of the Lignite Vision 21 Project is the commitment to use new technologies to provide solutions that address both energy and environmental concerns.
4. Economic Viability: The technologies being developed and demonstrated by the Lignite Vision 21 Project must prove economically viable to investors. It has been shown that current generating capacity will fail to provide the necessary power for our rapidly growing population. For example, metropolitan Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota and its transportation corridors to St. Cloud, Duluth and Rochester, is the third fastest growing energy demand area in the nation. Clearly, electricity generated by the Lignite Vision 21 Project will be in great demand.
Energy will undoubtedly play a key role in our region's future. An important component of this project is that it will demonstrate that both environmental and economic goals can be met. The Lignite Vision 21 Project is a vision of prosperity, stability and progress for our region in the 21st century.
Interested investors & customers
should contact:
A.J. (Tony) Rude, Project Manager
Lignite Vision 21 Project
9899 Aetna Ave. NE, Monticello, MN 55362
Phone: (763) 878-2281, Fax: (763) 878-1543
E-Mail: trude@lignite.com
Rich Voss, Manager of Projects
Lignite Vision 21 Project
1016 E. Owens Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 258-7117, Fax: (701) 258-2755
E-Mail: rvoss@lignite.comLignite Vision 21 Project Web Site
(State of North Dakota's Involvement)
Lignite Energy Council Web Site