Lignite Research Program

During the 2023 legislative session, $300,000 was appropriated to the Industrial Commission to contract for carbon capture and utilization education and marketing. The Industrial Commission is soliciting applications for grant funding to aid in the development of a Carbon Capture and Utilization Education and Marketing Strategic Plan. 

The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved $11.4 million in Lignite Research, Development and Marketing Program matching grants for seven new research projects. The funding, generated from lignite severance tax as well as oil and gas production tax revenue, supports the growth of North Dakota’s lignite industry through research and education.

This order issued on the basis that the Governor is vested with the Executive authority pursuant to Article V, Section 1 or the North Dakota Constitution, and pursuant to NDCC 54-17.5-02. This order shall be effective Immediately and supersedes and replaces Executive Order 2013-05; accordingly, Executive Order 2013-05 is hereby rescinded. 

The next meeting of the Lignite Research Council has been scheduled for 1:30 pm on May 11, 2023. The meeting will be held in Room 335, Bismarck State College National Energy Center of Excellence, 1200 Schafer Street, Bismarck, ND. The Council will consider grant applications for its 102nd grant round. The deadline for submitting applications for consideration at the May 11th meeting is April 3, 2023. Applications may be submitted via email at ndicgrants@nd.gov.
 

The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved funding last week for a new lignite research project, titled "Lignite Resource Evaluation for Advanced Utilization Opportunities," that focuses on evaluating the potential for extracting rare earth elements and other critical minerals from North Dakota lignite.