Energy in North Dakota has been making a lot of national headlines – whether its wind-energy and landscapes full of wind turbines, or massive amounts of oil found in the Bakken Formation – the words "energy" and "North Dakota" go together.

Visitors to North Dakota will be awe-struck at the fields of wind turbines found throughout the state and the oil rigs found primary in the west.

North Dakota is currently the U.S.'s 4^th largest producer of crude oil – learn about the Bakken Formation and the type of oil extraction found here at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck.

Tours of energy-sites are mostly handled by appointment only.

Energy-related must-sees include:

·         Coal Creek Station, Underwood

This is the largest lignite coal-fired electric generating plant in the U.S.  The tour of the plant includes turbines, steam generators, modern control room and furnaces which burn coal in suspension at 2,000 degrees.  www.lignite.com/mines/PowerPlants/creek.htm

·         Garrison Dam, Pick City

This giant hydroelectric dam is on the southeast shore of one of the nation's largest manmade lakes, Lake Sakakawea.  https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/html/Lake_Proj/garrison/dam.html

·         Coal Mines near Center, Underwood and Beulah

Tour the four large mines and view the open-pits, draglines, giant conveyers and the reclamation process.  www.lignite.com/mines/index.html

For more information on energy in North Dakota, visit the Department of Commerce website.