Preliminary coal supply contacts have been made with coal mines in the area, but as yet no contracts have been signed.
Basin Electric plan to have the plant operational by 2011. Several sites in the Gillette area are being evaluated.
The plant is being constructed to meet a growing demand for electricity by Basin Electric’s member systems that serve consumers in nine states.
Basin Electric already operates three large coal-based power plants: the Laramie River Station, near Wheatland, Wyoming, the Antelope Valley Station, near Beulah, N.D., and the Leland Olds Station near Stanton, N.D. Basin Electric is a consumer-owned, regional cooperative headquartered in Bismarck.
