05/01/2026
Juniors and seniors had an incredible opportunity this week, thanks to sponsorship from PKM Cooperative, to explore the many steps involved in bringing power to our communities.
The experience began on Wednesday at the Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where students learned about innovative research processes and projects, including efforts to mine rare earth elements as well as how to better access the oil in the Bakken Oil Field.
Next, the group visited Minnkota Power Cooperative, also in Grand Forks. Here, students got an up-close look at how electricity is managed and controlled before being distributed to PKM and other cooperatives.
The final stop happened on Thursday when students toured the Milton R. Young Station in Center, ND. Here, they experienced one of the highlights of the trip—climbing into a dragline machine and seeing firsthand how coal is excavated.
Throughout the trip, students gained a deeper understanding of how electricity is generated—from the mining of lignite coal in North Dakota to other energy sources like water and wind—to how it is ultimately delivered to our homes, farms, and businesses.
A huge thank you to PKM Cooperative for providing this valuable, hands-on learning experience for our students!
