This spring, the Lignite Energy Council, Coalition for a Secure Energy Future, and Cass County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) are embarking on a first of its kind partnership to construct and install level two electric vehicle (EV) chargers at Sanford Health in Fargo. The effort, in partnership with local leaders, is to keep the Fargo area at the forefront of emerging energy trends and technology.
The four EV chargers will soon become available for use at Sanford’s recently opened hospital near Interstate 94 in Fargo.
Baseline EV models are becoming increasingly affordable and in anticipation of the growth in popularity of EVs in the coming decades, the installation of charging stations at public institutions like Sanford will ensure that EV owners are able to charge their vehicles with reliable, homegrown energy. The electricity used by members of CCEC comes primarily from North Dakota resources— lignite coal and wind.
Every time an EV owner plugs their car into a charger they help boost North Dakota’s economy. The owner is utilizing the state’s affordable and reliable electricity, which is largely generated by lignite coal. In fact, more than 70 percent of the state’s electricity comes from lignite coal, which provides 15,000 good-paying jobs; $200 million in direct tax revenues to the state; and more than $3 billion in economic impact. In short, EVs are part of the future growth for the state’s lignite coal industry.
Over the next 18 months, the LEC, in partnership with other organizations, will continue to explore supporting infrastructure and investment in future projects. To stay updated on these projects, sign up for LEC Action Alerts on our website.