Project Tundra, led by Grand Forks-based Minnkota Power Cooperative, has secured its first installment of funding from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) for continued research in carbon capture technology.
The announcement, made on September 26, marks the initial payout of $4.2 million as part of the $350 million DOE funding allocated last year. Additional installments may be forthcoming to bring the total funding to the full amount.
Minnkota President and CEO Mac McLennan expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and stakeholder involvement.
He highlighted the need for strong relationships and collaboration to ensure Project Tundra’s success and demonstrate the transformative potential of carbon capture technology in shaping the future of energy development.
Project Tundra aims to capture and store 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the Milton R. Young coal-fired power station near Center, North Dakota.
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North Dakota senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer lauded the funding as a significant step towards realizing carbon capture utilization storage technology at a coal plant with on-site storage in the United States.
Hoeven emphasized the project’s role in ensuring the future of North Dakota’s power generation.
He noted that the initial funding distribution from the $350 million secured last year is a crucial milestone as Project Tundra progresses towards its final development stage.
In September, Minnkota was also part of a $7.8 billion funding award announced by the United States Department of Agriculture for clean energy, which it plans to utilize to further advance Project Tundra.
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