Lignite Energy Council Testifies in Support of Senate Bill 2249
Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 2249, which seeks to help to increase our ability to engage in additional research and development opportunities. The provisions in the bill provide necessary funding of exploratory research studies that would be complementary to the Lignite Research Development and Marketing Program. The bill also allows the flexibility to combine this exploratory research with the existing lignite research programs so we can help meet the industry goals of preserving our critically important energy assets and enhancing a variety of market opportunities for a valuable natural resource located within our state.
These important research activities would provide the investigations that are necessary to generate the innovations that eventually lead to projects in the State’s lignite research program. The bill language would help position North Dakota to take better advantage of current and future federal funding opportunities, such as those available from the US Department of Energy. In addition, by engaging the North Dakota Universities, the State Energy Research Center will also provide the benefit of workforce development by involving students in the exciting challenges that affect the future of North Dakota.
The bill is still in the Senate Appropriations Committee as it awaits further action.