Electric Co-op Today

With the help of a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a North Dakota G&T will be at the forefront of cutting-edge, carbon capture and storage technology.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck, N.D., has received a $300 million loan to retrofit its 450-megawatt Antelope Valley Station Unit 1 for a carbon capture demonstration project.

Ron Harper, Basin CEO and general manager, praised the department’s action as a step toward development of commercially viable technology that is considered essential to ensuring a long-term source of reliable and affordable power.

“Our demonstration project has the potential to not only create a viable path for coal in our nation’s energy future, but it could position the United States as a model for other countries to emulate,” Harper said.

Harper called the loan “vitally important,” because it will help to keep electricity more affordable, assist in the development of clean-coal technologies and set an example of support for other federal agencies to emulate.

“The conundrum for us lies in paying for the technology and research necessary to do this work, while keeping electricity affordable for our member-owners. This is why the assistance and commitment from USDA is critically important for us and our member consumers,” he said.

Basin already operates the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, the only commercial-scale coal gasification plant in the country, and home to the largest carbon capture project in the world.

Tags: Carbon Capture and Storage, Coal, Department of Agriculture, Power Plants