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Then there were the “synfuels” he pushed: combustible energy sources extracted from shale and tar sands, crafted by mixing pulverized coal with oil, or by mixing sundry materials like corn alcohol and wood chips to form “gasohol.”

The companies said the deal to purchase the Great Plains Synfuels Plant from Dakota Gasification Co. is expected to be finalized by next April.

The Lignite Energy Council says the reduction was mainly due to major outages at various power plants and maintenance at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant.

The Public Service Commission approved its first carbon dioxide pipeline in 1998, to carry gas from Basin Electric’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant near Beulah to oil fields in Saskatchewan.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that Basin Electric CEO Paul Sukut announced recently that the Great Plains Synfuels Plant near Beulah has improved its financial standing compared to six months ago.