We need to make sure someone is around to keep running our power plants. One of the ways Basin Electric is doing that is through its involvement with Bismarck State College (BSC) and its National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE).
This facility, dedicated in 2008, is for students who are interested in pursuing careers in the energy field, ranging from linemen to power plant technicians and everything in between. Watch the dedication at Basin Electric’s video gallery: National Energy Center of Excellence: Basin Electric’s $2 million pledge led the way.
(From left) Ron Harper; Larry Skogen, President of BSC; Shane Goettle
The checks presented yesterday went specifically to supporting the school’s Lineworker Program and Process Plant Technology Program.
Basin Electric’s support of NECE began several years ago with its $2 million pledge toward creation of the facility. Basin Electric is now a private sector partner of the grants BSC received and will match $24,250 in donations from these member co-ops: Capital Electric, Mountrail-Williams Electric, Verendrye Electric, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric, Roughrider Electric, Slope Electric, McLean Electric, McKenzie Electric, KEM Electric and Central Power.
Since 2008, Basin Electric has provided more than $93,000 in cash, equipment donations and in-kind donations to BSC’s energy education efforts.
Ron Harper, CEO and general manager, says, “Bismarck State College’s students represent our future. Programs such as the ones offered by Bismarck State College are critical to not only Basin Electric’s future, but to our nation’s energy future.”
The energy programs at Bismarck State College have a significant impact on Basin Electric’s workforce. Right now, almost 450 Basin Electric and Dakota Gasification Company employees are graduates of BSC.
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