The Lignite Energy Council is holding its annual Teachers’ Seminar at Bismarck State College.
It’s been holding this summer event for the past 32 years.
"The idea is, people who are teaching will include information about the lignite industry when they're teaching about math. science, the history of North Dakota," said the Council's Steve Van Dyke. "The lignite industry is the 5th largest industry in the state, and it plays a votal role."
Van Dyke was the first speaker at the seminar. He totled his talk, "Lignite -- North Dakota's Best kept Secret."
"Often times, when I'm checking into a motel, they always want to know who you're employer is." Van Dykle said in an interview. "I tell them, 'Lignite.' If they're not from North Dakota, I get 'Latenight?' And I say, 'No, it's lignite -- a form of coal. It's the coal we have in North Dakota."
Van Dyke said one of the big messages he wants the teachers to take away from the seminar is the availability of good-paying jobs in the lignite industry.
"There's 4,000 direct jobs, and another 11,000 indirect jobs," Van Dyke said. "We want the teacers to know what jobs will be available for their students."