National Energy Center of Excellence at BSC
In 2007, U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman recognized the excellence of Bismarck State College's (BSC) energy training program by naming it the National Power Plant Operations Technology and Educational Center.
This designation, authorized by legislation Senator Dorgan wrote, recognizes the school's cutting-edge education and training program, and aims to help attract students, industry and federal funding to help carry out BSC's mission.
BSC's energy training programs not only train students in power plant operations, but also prepare students for careers in process plant, electronic transmission and electric power systems.
Senator Dorgan continues to work to expand BSC's energy training programs that provide students with the skills and background needed to succeed in North Dakota's diverse energy industries. Graduates of BSC's energy training programs will help replace an aging energy workforce in North Dakota and around the nation, a necessary step in maintaining and growing the country's vital energy infrastructure into the future.
Since 2002, Senator Dorgan has secured millions of dollars in federal funding to help develop BSC's nationally recognized energy training program.
In addition, Senator Dorgan has worked to establish a National Energy Center of Excellence at BSC. He secured more than $6 million in federal funding to construct an energy technology and training center that includes a state-of-the-art lab. The funding was also used to develop course modules for BSC's National Power Plant
Operations Technology and Educational Center training programs.
This center adds to the development of the Great Plains Energy Corridor that Senator Dorgan created to attract businesses and investments to North Dakota, while helping to achieve the national goal of energy independence