By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – North Dakota Senator Kent Conrad says Washburn could be the site for a $750-million energy plant.
Conrad says he can't yet reveal who the company is. But he told Bismarck reporters that it's a big project.
"I can tell you thgat it is a plant that would convert coal to liquid fuel for transportation," said Conrad. "We are in discussions with a number of companies. They approached me some three weeks ago about getting provisions into the energy bill that would allow federal loan guarantees for a project like that."
Conrad says that language was included in the Senate version of the energy bill. That bill still has to go to a conference committee.
Conrad says the first phase is $750 million -- but is scalable, and could reach $3 billion. He says his office -- as well as local and state officials -- are in discussions about that proposed plant.