Lignite Energy Council Podcast

As electricity demand rises and the focus returns to reliable energy, new projects are creating real dollars for local communities. LEC President Jonathan Fortner explains how coal country is positioned for growth, including new coal plants, expanded mining, and large-load developments like data centers and critical mineral facilities, which could generate up to $11 million annually in local reven...

Alison Ritter has been the executive director of the Western Dakota Energy Association (WDEA), since July 2025, following the retirement of former ED Geoff Simon. WDEA represents counties, cities, and school districts in oil/gas and coal-producing areas, focusing on revenue sharing (gross production tax in lieu of property tax) and policy. In this episode she discusses the synergy between the oil...

Where will the next generation of our industry's workforce come from? How is that pipeline of talent growing? At our 2025 Lignite Energy Council annual conference, I sat down with three people across the spectrum of energy workforce development. Shawn Brink, the North Dakota Energy Education Coordinator, shared his passion for helping middle and high school students find their "ah-ha!" moment. Dr....

The Lignite Energy Council has gone through a lot of change in the past 50 plus years. At the 2025 lignite energy council annual conference, I sat down with MacMcLennan…the CEO and President of Minnkota Power Cooperative, and the outgoing Lignite Energy Council board chair…and Todd Brickhouse, President & General Manager of Basin Electric Power Cooperative…our incoming board chair. Together we...

He could be called the Millennial Mike Rowe. With an eye towards big equipment, a love for moving dirt, and a passion for finding the best of mining practices across the world, Aaron Witt has built his career around the dirt world. In November, he flew to Bismarck, ND straight from Belize to talk to our members at our 2025 annual conference.

Coal is the 5 th largest industry in North Dakota, and provides the dependable, reliable electricity we use every day. Governor Kelly Armstrong talked to our members at the 2025 Lignite Energy Council annual conference about coal's role in powering our state's economic growth.

What does it take to be a leader in your community? Why do those voices matter? How can you add to the conversation? During our annual conference in November, Jonathan Fortner sat down with Ron Ness of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, Arik Spencer of the Greater North Dakota Chamber, and Alison Ritter of the Western Dakota Energy Association, to discuss the challenges of engaging and recruiting...

As we kick off 2026, we're looking towards the future of the coal industry this year. What new opportunities are in store, and what's going to be making headlines this year? At our annual conference in November, Mike Holmes of the Lignite Energy Council discussed some of those research & development opportunities with Stacy Tschider, CEO of Rainbow Energy Center, Carroll Dewing, Sr. Vice Presi...

One of the biggest headline-makers of the past year has been carbon capture and utilization. Let's separate the fact from the fiction, and look at how captured carbon can secure a long-term future for both the lignite industry and the state's oil and gas industry. In November 2025 Mike Holmes, the Lignite Energy Council Executive VP of Research & Development, sat down with Ron Ness, President...

As 2025 comes to a close, we're taking a look back at policy and legislative decisions that impacted the lignite coal industry over the years. What will it take to support positive energy policy going forward? During the 2025 Lignite Energy Council annual conference, Reps. Todd Porter and Anna Novak and Sen. Dale Patten sat down with Jessica Bell, VP of External Affairs at Rainbow Energy Center, t...

LEC President & CEO Jonathan Fortner is joined by LEC's Executive Director of Public Engagement Retha Mattern to recap the key federal, state and local developments impacting North Dakota's lignite industry in 2025, reflect on the year's major milestones and discuss how far the industry and the LEC have come over the past year.

North Dakota State Senator Dale Patten joins the podcast to share his insights on the future of North Dakota's energy industry and his perspective as a key policymaker in the legislature. Topics include coal, critical minerals, CO₂ pipelines, and balancing growth with landowner rights.

In this episode of the LEC Podcast, we talk with Minnkota Power CEO Mac McLennan about energy policy, carbon capture, and the future of coal in North Dakota. With decades of experience, McLennan shares insights on industry challenges, regulatory shifts, and economic opportunities.  

In this episode, we sit down with Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, North Dakota's newest member of the federal delegation. She shares insights from her first two months in Washington, D.C., discussing her work on energy policy, protecting North Dakota's natural resources, and advocating for a reliable electric grid. Tune in to hear her perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead for the st...

In this episode, DEQ Director Glatt joins to discuss environmental regulations affecting the lignite industry. He highlights North Dakota's strong compliance record, challenges with federal policies and the importance of state-led oversight.

This episode of the Lignite Energy Council Podcast explores the "Lignite Plant of the Future," with EERC guest Tyler Hamman discussing lignite's economic importance, regulatory challenges, and advanced technologies to ensure a thriving future for lignite in North Dakota.

This episode features Brent Bogar, who discusses his role in advancing carbon capture education efforts in North Dakota. The conversation explores the state's carbon capture initiatives, economic benefits for various industries, public engagement strategies, and the importance of addressing regulatory and safety concerns to support informed decision-making and economic growth.

In this episode, Kay Lacoe, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Lignite Energy Council, discusses the results of recent statewide polling on public opinion regarding the coal industry and carbon capture technology in North Dakota. The conversation highlights strong bipartisan support for the use of carbon capture to maintain jobs and reduce emissions, as well as the significant role the ligni...

In this episode, we meet Daryl Hill, a lignite historian, who discusses the early history of lignite mining in North Dakota, from discoveries by Lewis and Clark to the transition from small, labor-intensive operations to mechanized mining in the 1920s. The episode highlights the significant economic and community impact of the lignite industry, including job creation, generational benefits, and th...

In this episode of the LEC Podcast, we sit down with Chief Meteorologist Kevin Lawrence to explore the science behind weather patterns and the art of forecasting. Kevin shares insights into the tools and techniques used to predict North Dakota's unique weather, along with highlights from his educational journey and experiences in meteorology. The conversation also delves into answering basic weath...

Commissioner Randy Christmann joins to discuss his extensive background in North Dakota's energy sector and his insights into the future of energy policy and regulation. Commissioner Christmann shares his unique perspectives on the evolving electricity markets, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities for coal within them. He also delves into promising advancements in coal's role, includ...

In this episode, we sit down with Brandon Rust, owner of Bokashi Earthworks, to explore the innovative ways he plans to utilize lignite coal in the development of non-toxic, nutrient-rich fertilizers for organic farming. Brandon shares insights into the importance of sustainable agriculture, the growing demand for organic farming solutions, and how cutting-edge NASA technologies are being integrat...

Commissioner Fedorchak joins for a live recording at the Lignite Energy Council's Annual Meeting. She shares her journey to becoming a Public Service Commissioner, the unique challenges she has faced in shaping energy policy, and her perspective on the critical role of coal in today's energy market. She emphasizes the importance of proactive advocacy for the coal industry and discusses the need fo...

Congressman Kelly Armstrong joins the podcast to discuss his views on energy policy which he has learned during his time as a State Senator, Congressman and Republican Nominee for Governor. He discusses his background, political career, advocacy for North Dakota's energy and agricultural industries, regulatory challenges, energy policy, carbon capture technology, legal battles, campaign for govern...

In this episode, we chat with Mike Heger, President of the BNI Mine, about his vision for the future of the lignite industry. Mike discusses the recent achievement of mining 200 million tons, showcasing the hard work and creativity in this field. We talk about the important role the lignite industry plays in providing energy and supporting local communities. Mike also shares insights about the div...