The General Manager of Basin Electric Power Cooperative calls it an “evolution” for the Great Plains Synfuels Plant near Beulah.
The plant -- which was called the Dakota Coal Gasification plant, was built during a time of a natural gas shortage to convert lignite coal to synthetic natural gas.
Basin GM Paul Sukut said in a few weeks, a new urea fertilizer plant will start operating there.
The plant has been in the works for a few years. And now, Sukut said it’s ready to go.
"That'll really change the dynamics of the whole synfuels plant," Sukut said. "That'sll really make it into a fertilizer factory."
The plant currently produces two other fertilizers – anhydrous ammonia and ammonium sulfate.