BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, applauded the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) for approving a new federal mine plan for BNI Coal to support the continued operation of Center Mine.
The Center Mine supplies coal to the Milton R. Young Station which consumes virtually all of the coal produced at the mine under agreements in place through 2037. BNI mines and reclaims about 200 acres a year to supply lignite coal to fuel the Young Station, which generates low cost, reliable, domestic energy for customers in North Dakota and Minnesota.
“While I am disappointed this process was needlessly prolonged, I am pleased to see the approval of BNI’s new mine plan,” said Senator Cramer. “We need affordable, reliable power and the Center Mine is a significant source of coal in the region. I look forward to continued operations for years.”
Background:
In August 2022, Senator Cramer delivered remarks at a celebration to commission a new dragline at BNI’s coal mine in Center, North Dakota. Following his remarks, Senator Cramer toured the mining operations and new dragline.