05/27/2026
Some in Minnesota and Washington want to pretend we can flip a switch and walk away from coal power. In reality, North Dakota coal still provides a major share of our dependable, around‑the‑clock capacity and anchors electric reliability in our region.
Instead of surrendering to a one‑sided “green” agenda, we’re turning lignite into a strategic asset. Researchers and industry partners are developing new applications of lignite energy and studying ways to extract rare earth elements and other critical minerals from lignite and mine waste, so America is less dependent on China for materials used in smartphones, wind turbines, and defense technology.
The Department of Energy and the University of North Dakota’s EERC are investing in North Dakota projects that will be the future of American energy and manufacturing. I’ll keep standing up for coal country—supporting our miners and plant workers, embracing new technologies, and supporting rare‑earth development. A strong lignite industry means strong communities across our state and energy security and dominance for the United States.
