Guest column: Lignite power can make data centers work for North Dakota
A guest column advocates for North Dakota's lignite coal industry as a reliable power source for data centers, highlighting the state's existing energy infrastructure and workforce. It suggests that utilizing lignite would bring economic benefits, stabilize the coal industry, and generate tax revenue. The article also addresses concerns about grid strain and costs to existing customers through "bring your own power" programs.
Jonathan Fortner, president and CEO of the Lignite Energy Council, authored a guest column in InForum, promoting North Dakota's lignite coal resources as a vital asset for the burgeoning data center industry. Fortner emphasized the state's robust lignite mines and power plants, which provide dependable, affordable, 24/7 electricity, supported by a skilled workforce and established infrastructure.
Fortner argued that integrating large data center loads with the lignite industry would yield substantial economic advantages. A study commissioned by the Lignite Energy Council estimated that combining a lignite power plant with a data center could generate around $4.5 million annually in additional county property tax revenue, while also preserving jobs and economic activity in coal-producing regions.
Addressing potential concerns, Fortner noted that North Dakota's power providers have implemented "bring your own power" initiatives. These programs mandate that developers fund or supply their own additional generation capacity, safeguarding existing ratepayers from increased costs and preventing grid overload. He pointed to a national trend where coal-fired power plants are gaining renewed appreciation for their reliable electricity output, presenting a growth opportunity for North Dakota's lignite industry. The column concluded by encouraging North Dakotans to consider the strategic benefits their abundant lignite supply and reliable power infrastructure offer to the data center sector.