PODCAST

Lignite Energy Council Podcast

Lignite Energy Council

Fueling the Future - Inside North Dakota"s Coal Industry

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44:01

Episode 32: Fireside Chat: Reflections and the Road...

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2026/02/09

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 discussed the Council's progress over the past year, leadership transitions, and what their vision is

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59:11

Episode 31: Keynote Speaker – Aaron Witt, BuildWitt

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2026/01/26

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.

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16:26

Episode 30: Policy and Progress: Updates from...

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2026/01/19

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.

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36:47

Episode 29: Political Perspectives from Industry Leaders

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2026/01/12

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 the next generation of industry professionals to serve as county commissioners, legislators, and

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55:09

Episode 28: Future Opportunities for the Lignite...

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2026/01/05

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 President and COO of the North American Coal Corporation, and Josh Stanislowski, Director of Energy Systems

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53:53

Episode 27: CO₂as a Commodity: Turning a Challenge...

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2025/12/31

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 of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, Charles Gorecki, CEO of the EERC, and Conway Nelson, Director

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01:06:06

Episode 26: Legislators' Role in Powering Production

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2025/12/26

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, to discuss the state's role in advancing coal and energy production.

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01:02:34

Episode 25: Year in Review 2025

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2025/12/19

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.

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52:13

Episode 24: North Dakota State Senator Dale Patten

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2025/04/18

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.

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54:01

Episode 23: Mac McLennan, CEO of Minnkota Power...

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2025/03/12

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.

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52:53

Episode 22: Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND)

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2025/02/20

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 state and the nation.

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52:24

Episode 21: Dave Glatt, Director of ND Department of...

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2025/02/20

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.

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38:21

Episode 20: Lignite Plant of the Future, Tyler Hamman...

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2025/01/24

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.

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48:14

Episode 19: CO2 Education Program, Brent Bogar AE2S

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2025/01/17

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.

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51:32

Episode 18: Kay LaCoe, VP of Public Affairs for the...

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2024/12/27

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 lignite industry plays in the state’s economy. The polling data underscores North Dakotans' preference for

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51:03

Episode 17: Daryl Hill, Lignite Historian

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2024/12/19

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 the growth of coal-country communities. Daryl also emphasizes modern reclamation efforts, technological

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54:52

Episode 16: Kevin Lawrence, Chief Meteorologist

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2024/10/31

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 weather related questions along with the topic of climate change, examining its potential implications for

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53:27

Episode 15: Public Service Commissioner Randy Christmann

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2024/10/29

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, including its potential in rare earth minerals, the development of carbon capture technologies, and the

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46:55

Episode 14: Brandon Rust, Owner of Bokashi Earthworks

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2024/10/22

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 integrated into domestic fertilizer production using lignite coal.

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01:00:15

Episode 13: Julie Fedorchak, Public Service Commissioner

Lignite Energy Council Podcast ·

2024/10/17

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 for stronger voices to ensure coal remains a competitive player in an evolving energy landscape.

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