Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven announced the allocation of $350 million in federal funding for Project Tundra, a carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) initiative at a coal-fired power plant. The project is led by Minnkota Power Cooperative with partners TC Energy, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Kiewit.

Hoeven has been actively promoting Project Tundra to support North Dakota's coal-fired electric industry. He played a key role in presenting the project's benefits to the Department of Energy (DOE). This new funding adds to the $43 million previously secured by Hoeven for the project, along with loan guarantees and the 45Q tax credit aimed at making CCUS projects commercially viable.

"Project Tundra is a vital component to the future of our coal-fired electric industry. North Dakota has led the way in reducing SOx, NOx and mercury emissions, and now with Project Tundra, we’re leading the technology development of carbon capture and storage on a traditional coal-fired power plant. We started working on this in 2008 and are one of only two places in the country that can do it," said Hoeven. "This federal investment along with the 45Q tax credit we have put in place will enable Minnkota and its partners to advance this project to help ensure the next generation of coal-fired power is here today and for future generations."

The funding comes from DOE’s Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program.