News Briefs


News briefs are published in the bi-weekly publication, Basin Update, which is sent to members, employees, and industry partners. If you are interested in being added to the mailing list, contact editor Jenifer Gray.

Recent Posts

Basin Electric representative testifies in Washington D.C. to oppose proposed banking regulation

It will increase costs for goods, services, and everyday necessities, and lead to further price volatility.

2024 winter member managers conference held Feb. 21-22

Basin Electric staff and member cooperative managers met for the 2024 winter Member Managers Conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Feb. 21-22.

Basin Electric to sponsor teachers to attend 2024 Lignite Energy Council teacher seminar

The Lignite Energy Council (LEC) is conducting the 2024 teacher seminar, “Energy, Economics and Environment,” at Bismarck State College in...

PSC approves applications for two Basin Electric transmission projects

The North Dakota Public Service Commission approved siting applications for two Basin Electric high-voltage transmission projects at their March 5...

PSC holds hearing for proposed transmission line in Dunn and McKenzie counties

The North Dakota Public Service Commission (NDPSC) held a hearing on Feb. 16 in Killdeer, North Dakota, to consider a 32.5-mile high-voltage...

New substation will meet Basin Electric’s growing membership needs

Basin Electric is committed to providing reliable electricity to its members, and this commitment means looking to the future as the membership...

Basin Electric membership growing across all districts

The forecast shows a bandwidth addressing the what-if scenarios that come with potential new large loads.

Basin Electric experiences second largest member billing peak increase since 2014

The increase is largely due to the winter storms that swept over Basin Electric’s service territory along with continued increased load growth...

Generator and turbine arrive at Pioneer Generation Station

Equipment continues to arrive at Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV (PGSIV), Basin Electric’s largest generation project being built in North...

PSC hearing held for proposed transmission line

The North Dakota Public Service Commission (NDPSC) held a hearing on Feb. 1, 2024, in Williston, North Dakota, to consider a 15-mile high-voltage...

Wind power purchase agreement with Basin Electric now commercial

ENGIE North America’s North Bend Wind project began commercial operation on December 22, 2023. Basin Electric has a 25-year Power Purchase...

Reliability remains top priority after NERC releases 2023-2024 winter reliability assessment report

The 2023-2024 winter reliability assessment report was recently released by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).

Basin Electric board approves spare turbine purchases

The spare engines will arrive in September 2024 and January 2025.

Upgrades at Antelope Valley Station increase reliability

Antelope Valley Station, a coal-fueled dispatchable generation facility located near Beulah, North Dakota, is making some equipment upgrades as...

Nemadji Trail Energy Center Neighborhood Meeting is Jan. 23

NTEC supports renewable energy expansion and reliability in the Upper Midwest.

Basin Electric issues Request for Proposal for power supply

Basin Electric is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to find options for fulfilling power supply obligations within the Midcontinent ISO,...

Basin Electric forms CORE team to evaluate risk and opportunity in carbon capture

Dan Gallagher, Basin Electric director of Commodity Sales and Trading, is leading the carbon opportunity and risk evaluation (CORE) team in an...

Basin Electric's 2024 winter Member Managers Conference registration open

Registration is now open for Basin Electric's 2024 winter Member Managers Conference scheduled for Feb. 21-22.

Deer Creek Station surpasses generation milestone

The facility generated its 1 millionth megawatt-hour (MWh) of net generation in one year for the first time since the facility went online in 2012.

Basin Electric begins preliminary investigation into construction of new generating facility

The team will spend about one year evaluating the addition of a facility to Basin Electric’s fleet.

Advancements in carbon capture in Wyoming’s energy sector featured on 60 Minutes

Carbon capture research and development, and the energy industry in Wyoming, was featured on 60 Minutes on Dec. 10.

Basin Electric, Dakota Gas boards approve 2024 budgets

At their December meetings, the boards of directors approved the 2024 operating and capital budgets for Basin Electric and subsidiaries.

Johnson named as Basin Electric’s new Chief Financial Officer

Basin Electric Power Cooperative announced today Chris Johnson will join the cooperative as its senior vice president and chief financial officer...

Deer Creek Station maintains flawless safety record

The team at Deer Creek Station in Brookings, South Dakota recently reached a milestone when they went 4,000 days without a safety incident, or DART...

Basin Electric Transmission Systems Maintenance employees discuss safety, other updates at Fall Meeting

Basin Electric Transmission Systems Maintenance (TSM) employees met for their Fall Meeting Nov. 8 at the TSM shop located in Menoken, North Dakota.

Basin Electric, subsidiary boards hold reorganization meetings in November

Find all directors on Basin Electric’s website.

Basin Electric directors return $43 million to members

This action brings the amount returned to members since the year 2000 to over $840 million via patronage capital retirements.

Basin Electric employees participate in continent-wide security exercise

Sixty Basin Electric employees took part in GridEx VII, a continent-wide security exercise held on Nov. 14-15.

Basin Electric and employees give more than $115,000 to local charities

For Cooperative Month this October, Basin Electric employees let their cooperative spirit shine for the annual cooperative-wide employee...

Basin Electric's first South Dakota wind turbines dropped

Two of South Dakota’s first commercial wind turbines were dropped to the ground Oct. 31. The turbines, each 300-feet-tall and providing...

Dakota Gas’ Great Plains Synfuels Plant completes ‘brown plant’ turnaround

Dakota Gas’ Great Plains Synfuels Plant recently completed a “brown plant” turnaround and is in the process of going through the multi-step process...

JCOAL, Kawasaki Heavy Industries carbon capture research technology completed at Integrated Test Center, Dry Fork Station

Integrated Test Center is a carbon capture and utilization test center that provides space for technology developers to evaluate their technologies...

Basin Electric ranked 21st in nation's top 100 co-ops list

Basin Electric was ranked #1 in the energy industry and #21 overall.

Basin Electric submits Letter of Interest for USDA New ERA Program funds

This program will distribute $9.7 billion to rural electric cooperatives in the form of grants or low interest financing to enable clean energy...

Basin Electric board adopts 2024 rates

The rate schedule was sent to FERC on Sept. 29, and Basin Electric has requested the commission act by the end of November.

Western Governors’ Association hosts workshop at Gillette College and the Wyoming Integrated Test Center

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, chair of the Western Governors' Association (WGA), hosted a workshop at Gillette College and the Wyoming Integrated Test...

Basin Electric reaches new all-time member billing peak in August

Previously this summer, Basin Electric had set a new summer billing peak in July, at 4,586 MW.

Construction begins on carbon capture pilot project at Wyoming ITC

Membrane Technology and Research (MTR), a tenant at the Integrated Test Center located at Basin Electric’s Dry Fork Station, has begun preparations...

Great Plains Synfuels Plant, Antelope Valley Station sustain damages from summer storm

A summer storm caused damage to Dakota Gasification Company’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant and Antelope Valley Station on Aug. 1.

Basin Electric takes next step in exploration of new West-side electricity market

Basin Electric is one of seven western utilities to sign an agreement with the Southwest Power Pool exploring membership in a West-side regional...

Directors approve Basin Electric and subsidiary financial forecasts for 2024-2033

This forecast includes total capital expenditures of $5.1 billion to build new generation and transmission to serve member growth.

Basin Electric participates in event commemorating first-ever large-scale solar purchase

The event was held at the site of the future Wild Springs Solar, a 128-megawatt solar project of which Basin Electric will purchase 114 MW of its...

Inspections complete on CarbonSAFE wells at Basin Electric’s Dry Fork Station

An annual inspection was done on two Wyoming CarbonSAFE wells: University of Wyoming Powder River Basin (UW PRB) #1 and UW PRB #2.

Australian company signs agreement to conduct research at Wyoming ITC

The following is a news release published by the University of Wyoming. It discusses a newly executed agreement that will affect Basin Electric by...

Basin Electric holds all-employee meeting announcing new mission statement and values

Basin Electric held an all-employee meeting on Aug. 29 and the Executive Leadership Team announced the cooperative’s new mission statement and...

Basin Electric Government Relations team summarizes 2023 legislative sessions

Basin Electric’s government relations team continuously tracks state legislative bills within the membership’s service areas. The following is a...

Basin Electric directors approve long-range engineering plan in August

More than $3.8 billion is expected to be spent on all Basin Electric facilities over the next 10 years.

Antelope Valley Station fly ash control system replacement project complete

The system controls all the components of the baghouse, allowing operators to perform necessary tasks from the control room.

EPA administrator, Wyoming governor visit Dry Fork Station

Chris Baumgartner, Basin Electric senior vice president of Member & External Relations, said the visit was an opportunity to show all that goes...

2023 Basin Electric Annual Meeting: Know before you go

Here are a few helpful reminders before you attend Basin Electric’s 2023 Annual Membership Meeting.

Environmental Protection Agency opens public comment period regarding Nemadji Trail Energy Center

Nemadji Trail Energy Center will be a 600-megawatt natural gas-based combined cycle generation facility in Superior, Wisconsin.

8th Circuit affirms judgement in Dakota Energy, East River Electric lawsuit

On July 28, a three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a federal judge’s decision in a lawsuit filed by Dakota Energy...

Comment period ends Aug. 8 on proposed EPA greenhouse gas regulation

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting comments through Aug. 8 regarding these regulations.

Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV air permit issued, construction on track

Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV is a 600-megawatt addition to the dispatchable generation facility located near Williston, North Dakota.

2023 summer member managers conference held July 19-21

Basin Electric staff and member cooperative managers met for the 2023 summer Member Managers Conference in Deadwood, South Dakota, on July 19-21.

Basin Electric hosts open houses for transmission line project

Basin Electric project team members met with landowners and other interested parties in Crosby and Tioga, North Dakota, to share information about...

Ehrman speaks at national conference

Ehrman presented about Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV, Basin Electric's newest generation project near the existing Pioneer Generation Station...

2023 Basin Electric Bylaw Review Committee meets, recommends change to bylaws

The committee voted to recommend an amendment that would further define the parameters of Basin Electric’s rate stabilization fund.

Wald named Basin Electric’s interim Chief Financial Officer

Wald has more than 20 years of experience in accounting and finance and has been with Basin Electric since 2016. Most recently she served as the...

NRECA details federal regulations threatening reliability

The following is an excerpt of an article published by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) detailing proposed federal...

Great Plains Synfuels Plant to conduct ‘brown plant’ turnaround

A scheduled “brown plant” turnaround, in which a majority of the Synfuels Plant will be out of service except for only a few utilities, will be...

Basin Electric responds to proposed greenhouse gas emissions rule

On May 11, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new proposed rule to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from power plants,...

Kosher certification approved for beverage-grade CO2 at Dakota Gasification Company

The Kosher Certification opens up additional sales opportunities that will increase Dakota Gas' revenue.

BE Leaders Program has fifth graduating class

Twenty-three Basin Electric employees from several of Basin Electric’s facilities participated in the fifth annual BE Leaders program.

Keynote speaker announced for 2023 Basin Electric Annual Meeting

Lomborg is a best-selling author of several publications including "False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and...

2023 Basin Electric Resolutions Committee meets

The committee is made up of directors from each of Basin Electric's districts and a Basin Electric board member.

Basin Electric welcomes 10 members into cooperative

The Basin Electric board of directors authorized a resolution to accept the applications during their June board meeting.

Wyoming Lime Producers celebrates 30-year operation anniversary

Jan. 23 marked the 30-year anniversary of operations at the Wyoming Lime Producers, a division of Dakota Coal Company. Since its inception in 1993,...

Registration open for 2023 Annual Meeting

The meeting is scheduled for Aug. 16 at the Bismarck Event Center in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Basin Electric board approves nearly $50 million to continue moving forward with transmission buildout

Following is an update of the high-voltage transmission projects underway. 

Dakota Gas sees record truck and rail shipments of urea in May

The Basin Electric subsidiary reached the final new all-time truck shipment record in a single day in five years of urea production at Dakota Gas.

Basin Electric’s annual scholarship program awards recipients

Select students in the region are receiving financial support for their 2023-2024 college fund, thanks to Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s...

Basin Electric issues Request for Proposal for power supply

Basin Electric is seeking proposals for capacity and energy for the amounts and points of delivery as defined in the RFP.

Southwest Power Pool President and CEO speaks with Basin Electric board

Barbara Sugg gave directors an update on SPP and its activities.

Basin Electric to host open houses for transmission line project

The project includes approximately 110 miles of new 230-kV electric transmission lines from existing Basin Electric substations to the Canadian...

Basin Electric named a top 10 workplace by Young Professionals Network

Basin Electric has been named one of the top 10 places to work in Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota, by the Young Professionals Network.

Former Basin Electric board president Cliff Gjellstad has died

Cliff Gjellstad, Basin Electric board president from 2009 – 2011, died on May 8.

Basin Electric issues statement regarding EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas rules

While staff is still analyzing the recent EPA proposals and is evaluating what this means for the cooperative and our membership, we can already...

Carbon capture technology developers break ground at Wyoming Integrated Test Center located at Basin Electric's Dry Fork Station

Membrane Technology & Research and Kawasaki Heavy Industries move to the large-scale testing phase for carbon capture technology at the Wyoming...

Basin Electric’s 2022 Annual Report available now

The report focuses on how Basin Electric provides reliable and affordable electricity to power its growing membership.

Security and Response Services launch quarterly newsletter

The Security and Response Services (SRS) team recently launched a new quarterly newsletter that will be posted to its Facebook page, Security and...

Basin Electric Annual Report available soon

The 2022 Basin Electric annual report has been sent to the printer and will be available online soon.

United Way presents six awards to Basin Electric for 2022 fundraising campaign

Basin Electric employees raised $138,725 last year through the cooperative's Commitment to Community Campaign.

Earthwork begins on Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV site

PGSIV will generate about 600 megawatts of electricity near the existing Pioneer Generation Station northwest of Williston, North Dakota.

Dakota Gas receives recertification for Responsible Care

Dakota Gasification Company’s (Dakota Gas) facility, the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, recently received its Responsible Care Management System...

Minimal damage reported after Dry Fork Station fire

A fire at Dry Fork Station near Gillette, Wyoming, on Feb. 26 resulted in no injuries, isolated damage, and one day of decreased production.

Basin Electric member manager named president of Touchstone Energy board of directors

Tim McCarthy, CEO of Sioux Valley Energy, a Basin Electric Class C member, has been elected to serve as the next president of the Touchstone Energy...

Basin Electric to sponsor teachers to attend 2023 teacher seminar

This seminar will provide teachers with the information and educational materials they need to teach their students about how lignite is mined and...

Permit received, work begins on Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV

A Certificate of Site Compatibility from the North Dakota Public Service Commission, necessary for the start of construction, was received in...

Construction begins on solar project set to provide electricity to Basin Electric membership

The Wild Springs Solar Project, a 128-megawatt project in Pennington County, South Dakota, began construction Jan. 10, 2023. Basin Electric will...

Wind contract goes live at beginning of 2023

Basin Electric’s contract with Aurora Wind in northwestern North Dakota went live on Jan. 1.

Wärtsilä Energy to provide engines for Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV

The fast-starting and stopping ability of this technology allows full output to be reached in just minutes, which ensures a stable and reliable...

Training opportunities provided by Basin Electric and its members

Training opportunities are being offered for members in 2023. More details and registration information will be sent to registrants before the events.

Basin Electric employees donate $17,530 to the Great Plains Food Bank

In 2022, Basin Electric employees raised $17,530 for the Great Plains Food Bank through the Casual for a Cause campaign.

Three-day training focuses on improving safety processes at Basin Electric

In support of Basin Electric’s strategic plan to improve overall safety, Headquarters hosted a three-day training session for employees across the...

Basin Electric’s membership sets new all-time high peak in December

Basin Electric’s service area saw colder than average temperatures in December resulting in more electricity use, but there were other drivers as...

Eurasia Group representative shares insight on global energy markets

Raad Alkadiri, managing director of Energy, Climate, and Resources for Eurasia Group, presented to Basin Electric’s board of directors during their...

Neset-to-Northshore transmission project energized

The 27-mile transmission line begins at the existing Neset Substation east of Tioga, North Dakota, and ends at the new Northshore substation south...

Basin Electric Annual Meeting moved to August

This year’s meeting will be held Aug. 15-17 at the Bismarck Event Center in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Basin Electric, subsidiary boards hold reorganization meetings in January

Officers are nominated and elected for one-year terms by the directors.

Public hearing held for proposed generation facility

The cooperative plans to construct natural gas generation near the existing Pioneer Generation Station, northwest of Williston.

Board approves 2023 load forecast

The load forecast is the main tool used for power supply planning, financial forecasting, rate planning, and transmission planning.

2023 Winter Member Managers Conference Registration Open

Registration information was sent to member managers on Jan. 5. Member managers interested in attending are asked to register online by Feb 16.

Members-only meeting rescheduled to Jan. 26

The meeting will be held Jan. 26 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Central Time, as a virtual event.

Boards approve 2023 budgets

The consolidated after-tax income for Basin Electric and its subsidiaries is estimated to be nearly $200 million.

Great Plains Synfuels Plant produces record tons of anhydrous ammonia in 2022

The Great Plains Synfuels Plant near Beulah, North Dakota, produced the highest annual ammonia production on record in 2022. The last record...

Trucks begin hauling coal from Antelope Valley Station to Leland Olds Station in December

Trucking began Dec. 27 and there will be approximately 30 trucks hauling coal per day.

Basin Electric sends letter of support for CCUS project study

Department of Energy (DOE) funds would be used for a $5 million supplemental front-end engineering design study by Membrane Technology & Research.

Procurement team keeps up with fluctuating markets

Each year, Basin Electric’s Procurement team purchases $400 million dollars of goods and services on the cooperative’s-behalf; however, there have...

Basin Electric releases first-ever Sustainability Report

The report highlights the cooperative’s dedication to the people in its membership and the communities in which they live, as well as environmental...

Longer rail spur means increased efficiency at Dakota Gas

Due to load demand, Dakota Gas recently expanded its existing rail spur to make way for two additional rail cars.

Basin Electric ranked 17th in nation's top 100 co-ops list

Basin Electric was ranked #1 in the energy industry and #17 overall.

2022 Basin Electric Annual Meeting: Know before you go

The meeting runs Nov. 8-10.

Basin Electric fundraiser gives $138,725 to local charities

Employees raised $138,725 for local charities through the annual Commitment to Community Campaign.

Sparks and Braziel to speak at Basin Electric 2022 Annual Meeting

Sparks works directly with Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, on various macro political risk projects. Braziel is known for his expertise...

2022 Basin Electric Bylaw Review Committee meets, recommends change to bylaws

Members of the committee elected Doug Hardy, CEO of Central Montana Electric Power Cooperative, as chairperson on Sept. 8. The committee then...

Deer Creek Station reaches safety milestone

The Deer Creek Station team recently reached a safety milestone of 3,500 days without a safety incident, or DART.

Basin Electric board, senior staff hold strategic planning in October

Strategic planning is part of a continuous effort to develop and monitor strategic initiatives for Basin Electric and its subsidiaries.

Open houses planned for Leland Olds-to-Tande transmission project

Meetings will be held in October in Stanley, Ryder, and Underwood, North Dakota.

2022 Basin Electric Resolutions Committee meets

No new resolutions have been brought forward by the membership thus far.

Eurasia Group representative speaks with Basin Electric board on global energy markets

Raad Alkadiri, managing director of Energy, Climate and Resources for the Eurasia Group, spoke to directors about the Ukraine crisis and its...

Dakota Gas helps fill demand for beverage-grade carbon dioxide

Since 2020, Dakota Gas has produced enough product for its customers who then sell it to water treatment plants, as carbonation for beverages, and...

Basin Electric system reaches new all-time member billing peak in August

Basin Electric set a new all-time high member billing peak in the summer due to new loads in the system.

Registration open for 2022 Annual Meeting

A full-day meeting will be held on Nov. 9 and a members-only session will be held Nov. 10.

Basin Electric works to protect membership from market volatility

Because Basin Electric is dedicated to providing reliable and affordable energy to its members, there are several ways it works to cushion its...

Dakota Gasification Company receives award from BNSF Railway

The Product Stewardship Award is given annually by BNSF Railway to honor customers for the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail.

Basin Electric and BisMan Chamber EDC host meeting by Vantis Group

On Aug. 16, Basin Electric and BisMan Chamber EDC hosted a meeting at Headquarters by Vantis Group.

Basin Electric directors approve long-range engineering plan

More than $900 million is expected to be spent on all facilities over the next 10 years.

Inflation Reduction Act signed into law

On Aug. 16, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022.

Basin Electric system reaches new summer member billing peak

Basin Electric’s July 2022 member peak sale level surpassed the previous all-time-high summer member sale level by 151 MW.

Coal fines being trucked from Antelope Valley Station to Leland Olds Station

The decision to truck coal was made due to a dwindling stockpile of lignite at Leland Olds Station.

Transmission lines damaged from summer storms are back in service

Major summer storms from early June to mid-July caused severe damage in Basin Electric’s service territory, leading to necessary storm restoration.

Basin Electric board approves rate decrease, returns millions to members

On Aug. 10, Basin Electric’s board of directors unanimously voted to decrease member rates by an average of one mill. This rate decrease amounts to...

2022 summer Member Managers Conference held July 20-21

Ninety-seven members attended and seventy-one cooperatives were represented at the conference.

Threatening amounts of rain and snow cause flooding damage to Basin Electric members

In mid-June, flooding in major waterways including the Yellowstone River caused damage to several Basin Electric members in Montana and Wyoming.

Basin Electric directors vote to return $28.2 million back to members

The board action will bring the amount returned to members since the year 2000 to over $630 million via patronage capital retirements and bill...

Basin Electric announces realigned cooperative structure to position departments for the future

Basin Electric recently realigned its organizational structure to better position the cooperative for the future.

Supreme Court ruling is positive for coal

On June 30, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan, a regulatory program...

Southwest Power Pool system reaches all-time peak load

Highlighting the important role fuel diversity plays in ensuring electric reliability, at the time of the new record SPP relied on a mix of energy...

Storms, high winds cause damage to Basin Electric, member transmission equipment

Wind speeds were in excess of 109 miles per hour in parts of member Southeastern Electric Cooperative's service area.

Students awarded scholarships through Basin Electric’s annual program

This year, 167 students in the region have been awarded a $1,000 scholarship for the 2022-2023 school year, thanks to Basin Electric Power...

Wyoming Lime Producers earns Certificate of Achievement for safety

The employees of Wyoming Lime Producers earned the Certificate of Achievement from the Wyoming State Mine Inspector for working nearly 31,000...

U.S. Department of Energy officials visit Dry Fork Station, Dry Fork Mine

Officials from the U.S. Department of Energy visited the Dry Fork Station and Dry Fork Mine near Gillette, Wyoming, on June 13.

Directors hold summer strategic planning session

Prior to June’s board meeting, the Basin Electric board of directors and senior leadership team met to continue ongoing strategic planning efforts.

Basin Electric employee participates on carbon capture panel

Tyler Hamman participated in a panel discussion about how carbon capture utilization and sequestration (CCUS) supports existing energy...

Basin Electric, members meet with Congressional Delegations during 2022 Spring Legislative Conference

Representatives from Basin Electric and member cooperatives visited Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., during the cooperative’s annual Legislative...

Gas units undergoing combustor, hot section replacement

The combustor and subsequent hot section the area of the turbine that reaches high temperatures (as high as 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit), are being...

Spring snowstorm causes damage to member systems

The major storm that hit western and north central North Dakota impacted 14 electric cooperatives.

North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality holds hearing on regional haze

NDDEQ found the primary causes of visibility impairment in North Dakota are wildfires and international emissions from Canada.

Basin Electric board approves nearly a half billion dollars in new transmission construction in western North Dakota

In a major effort to maintain reliability for members, Basin Electric directors approved major transmission line and substation construction work...

2022 Summer Member Managers Conference registration open

Member managers interested in attending are asked to register online.

Basin Electric launches refreshed website for members

Members wanting to access the website can visit basinmembers.com to create a new username and password.

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against East River Electric

Judge Piersol agreed with East River Electric and Basin Electric and granted their motions for summary judgment, dismissing the case.

Basin Electric employees donate $35,826 to local charities

In 2021, Basin Electric employees raised nearly $36,000 for Abused Adult Resource Center and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - North...

Sukut awarded NIPCO’s N-Ovation Award

NIPCO, a Basin Electric Class A member headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, has given the N-Ovation Award for 47 years.

Basin Electric to sponsor teachers to attend 2022 Lignite Energy Council teacher seminar

This seminar will provide teachers with the information and educational materials they need to teach their students about how lignite is mined and...

Basin Electric submits comments regarding Wyoming plan for regional haze

The comment period regarding Wyoming’s SIP for the second implementation period of the Regional Haze Rule was open from Feb. 18 through Mar. 23.

Basin Electric receives highest award from Great Plains Food Bank

Basin Electric was named a 2021 Hunger Relief Champion by the Great Plains Food Bank, the state's largest hunger-relief organization and the only...

Basin Electric’s 2021 annual report available soon

The report will be sent to member-system directors and managers, representatives of financial entities, and congressional delegates in Basin...

No injuries, isolated damage reported after fire at Dakota Gas

The plant remained in operation, though at a reduced rate, throughout the entire incident.

Basin Electric board approves 2021 audit results and margin allocation

Each of the 2021 audited financial statements received unqualified or clean opinions.

Strategic contracting leads to $11 million savings during Leland Olds Station outage

The savings were due to changes made by plant employees and Basin Electric's Procurement division.

Storage facility permit application submitted for carbon dioxide sequestration project

The application describes the project and demonstrates compliance with applicable rules and regulations for geologic storage of carbon dioxide in...

Basin Electric’s first wind turbines fall

The turbines were built in 2002, the beginning of what would become Minot Wind, a project spearheaded by Basin Electric and its member Central...

Basin Electric system reaches new all-time system billing peak

Basin Electric’s member peak sale level surpassed the previous all-time high system member sale level by about 129 megawatts.

Carbon dioxide sequestration project is a milestone in Basin Electric's environmental efforts

The project is a step toward North Dakota’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.

2022 Winter Member Managers Conference held Feb. 23-24

The conference is held twice a year for Basin Electric and member cooperatives to exchange information, share ideas and work closely on issues.

Public open house scheduled for Great Plains Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Project

A presentation by the project team will begin at 6:30 p.m., with time reserved at its conclusion for small group and one-on-one conversations.

Directors hold first strategic planning session of 2022

The sessions are part of a continuous effort to develop and monitor strategic planning initiatives for Basin Electric and its subsidiaries.

Dakota Gas shifts carbon dioxide sales to fulfill supply shortage

Recently, the Synfuels Plant sent higher volumes of its CO2 to a Canadian customer that was struggling to get the supply it needed. The customer...

Member director appointed to North Dakota Public Service Commission

Sheri Haugen-Hoffart fills the NDPSC seat vacated by former commissioner Brian Kroshus.

Fitch affirms Basin Electric's ratings

Steve Johnson, Basin Electric senior vice president and chief financial officer, said semi-annual updates are provided to the three agencies who...

Cryptocurrency presentation given to Basin Electric directors

Interest in cryptocurrency and cryptomining is growing and Basin Electric members are being approached with requests to connect on co-op lines.

2022 winter Member Managers Conference: Know before you go

Here are a few helpful reminders for member managers planning to attend Basin Electric's 2022 winter Member Managers Conference, which runs Feb....

Dakota Gas marks first sale of new product

Dakota Gasification Company’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant is now producing and selling a new product at its urea facility. The new product, a 40%...

Montana Limestone Company receives safety awards

The Montana Limestone Company quarry operation and fine grind plant received safety awards for 2020. These Certificates of Achievement in Safety...

Southwest Power Pool board approves transmission plan

Initial estimates for the Bakken area indicate about $470 million of transmission upgrades over the next several years.

Carbon dioxide capture pilot project at Wyoming ITC expected to begin this year

Construction of a Membrane Technology and Research carbon dioxide capture pilot project at Wyoming’s Integrated Test Center is expected to begin...

NDPSC grants waiver for PrairieWinds 1 light mitigation requirement

The conditional waiver was granted with the requirement that Basin Electric review FAA-approved light-mitigating technology every three years.

Board approves 2022 load forecast

This year’s forecast is more of a bandwidth, showing a conservative case and a case that takes new loads that are appearing quickly into...

Directors authorize early amortization of up to $77.2 million

The expense deferral was initially made in 2018 following a write down of the non-fertilizer assets at Dakota Gasification Company.

Event at Wyoming ITC announces second test well near completion

The operations at the ITC are all about carbon capture utilization and sequestration. That sequestration part of the puzzle is fulfilled by the...

2022 winter Member Managers Conference set for Feb. 23-24

The conference will be held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Managers should book their rooms by Jan. 23 to receive the discounted group rate.

Basin Electric department undergoes reorganization

Becky Kern was promoted to vice president of Resource Planning and Rates, and Valerie Weigel was promoted to vice president of Asset Management and...

Directors approve 2022 budgets

The consolidated after-tax income for Basin Electric and its subsidiaries is estimated to be $76.1 million, with revenue deferral estimated at $15...

North Dakota Industrial Commission awards funding for proposed hydrogen project at Dakota Gas

A $10 million grant and $80 million loan will come from the state’s Clean Sustainable Energy Fund.

Seismic testing underway for carbon dioxide sequestration project

Seismic surveys are a tool geologists and geophysicists use to understand subsurface geology by looking at rock layers miles under the ground.

Basin Electric returns $64.5 million to its member-owners in 2021

Directors voted to give back to the cooperative’s members due to consolidated financial results being better than projected for 2021.

Basin Electric issues request for proposal

Basin Electric is issuing a Request for Proposal for renewables, capacity, and energy in the Southwest Power Pool and Midcontinent Independent...

Basin Electric, members discuss the value of cooperation at 2021 annual meeting

More than 800 member cooperative employees, directors, public officials, and utility representatives attended Basin Electric’s 2021 Annual Meeting...

Basin Electric partners with Dairyland Power Cooperative and ALLETE to add new natural gas generation

Nemadji Trail Energy Center, a proposed 600-megawatt combined cycle power plant, will be located in Superior, Wisconsin.

Great Plains Synfuels Plant potential to be largest coal-based carbon capture and storage project to use geologic storage

Synfuels Plant would also be first in the United States to use for both enhanced oil recovery and geologic storage.

Basin Electric partners with Bakken Energy and Mitsubishi Power to establish clean hydrogen hub

Bakken Energy, supported by Mitsubishi Power, is currently working with Basin Electric Power Cooperative and its subsidiary Dakota Gasification...