Three lignite mines and three power plants received safety awards, and a dozen individuals were honored for their contributions to the lignite industry during the Lignite Energy Council’s fall conference held on September 29-30, 2021.

Employees at the Coyote Creek Mine and Coyote Station received special recognition for achieving the lowest overall accident incident rate in the lignite industry in 2020. Receiving the two awards were Kelli Schwalbe-Knight, Connie Landsem-Jenson and Kale Kruger from the Coyote Creek Mine along with Jennifer Seibel and Brad Zimmerman from the Coyote Station. Presenting the awards is LEC President and CEO Jason Bohrer.

Employees of the Freedom Mine, the Falkirk Mine, the Milton R. Young Station, and the Lewis & Clark Station were recognized with Distinguished Safety Awards for having an accident incident rate lower than the national average.

Employees at the Coyote Creek Mine and Coyote Station received special recognition for achieving the lowest overall accident incident rate in the lignite industry in 2020. They will share a traveling trophy known as “Lignite Louie” for winning the Safety Excellence Award.

“The lignite users and producers in this region believe that the efficient production of a low-cost, reliable energy source cannot be achieved without serious attention to the health and safety of the employees who work to produce that product,” said Jason Bohrer, president and CEO of the Lignite Energy Council. “That’s why we recognize those companies that are leading the way in the field of safety.”

Abrasives, Inc., headquartered in Glen Ullin, Bismarck won the Lignite Energy Council’s 2021 Contractor/Supplier Member of the Year Award. Abrasives, Inc. was nominated by employees at the Milton R. Young Station. The company turns bottom ash from the Young Station and Coyote Station into abrasives. They also sell the black sand for landscaping purposes.

North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford received the Lignite Public Service Award for his support of the lignite industry during the Legislature to promote legislation that encourages an “all-of-the-above” balance of generation sources in the state.

Five individuals were recognized for their contributions to the lignite industry over the span of their careers. They were honored with the Ambassador of Lignite Award for their achievements and support of the lignite industry. The winners included:

• Dan Dorfschmidt, Butler Machinery;
• David Farnsworth, Great River Energy;
• Curt Latendresse, Central Machining and Pump Repair;
• Ron Pickar, Komatsu Mining Corporation; and
• Dean Moos, ND Public Service Commission.

The North Dakota Public Service Commission also recognized the Coyote Creek Mine southwest of Beulah for implementing a successful water management plan for the north haul road at the mine. The Coyote Creek Mine, North Dakota’s newest lignite mine, provides fuel to the adjacent Coyote Station.