With the rising cost of fossil fuels, alternative energy sources like lignite offer a domestic alternative. The United States has its own source of this material, particularly in North Dakota. Its extraction does not involve the risks that other coal does. Mining does not involve excavation, thus making restoration of the disturbed area much easier to reclaim.

A lignite provider most often supplies a generating facility located near the strip mine. Transporting lignite is too expensive, compared to the return of energy from the low grade lignite. There is substantial lignite information available, and coal industry literature can be used to develop a lignite list of benefits for switching from more expensive bituminous coal to the cheaper lignite.

1. Investigate the benefits of lignite coal.

2. Find lignite providers.

3. Burn lignite and save on energy costs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Examine the advantages of using lignite coal to generate electricity

Lignite coal is a cheap energy source, and it is used around the world to produce electricity. The 'brown' coal's major advantage is its lower cost when compared to bituminous coal. Electricity generation has become a more competitive business in the past two decades, and a regional power provider can use lignite to keep costs down and provide a better return for investors.

I recommend: TSM Pacific can provide a supply of lignite coal for use in a limited test of its energy output for electrical generation. Rather than buy a train car load to begin with, start with a small shipment of several hundred pounds for laboratory testing. Arch Coal supplies over 12 percent of the coal used in America.

Find lignite suppliers

Lignite is mined around the world. Due to its low energy output and high emissions, businesses benefit the most by locating near the supply of lignite. Real estate costs are also low in many of the areas where lignite is mined.

I recommend: Peabody Energy is the world's largest supplier of coal. It has 31 mines in America and Australia, and manages mines in Venezuela. North American Coal operates several lignite surface mines in numerous states. It provides lignite for many businesses and power generating facilities.

Redesign your current system to burn lignite

As the costs of international energy supplies rise, an increasing number of businesses are turning to American energy sources. Lignite coal is plentiful in some areas of the country, and with the right environmental systems in place it may prove to be an even more valuable resource in the future.

I recommend: Ergo Exergy Technologies has developed an advanced technology for coal gassification using lignite coal in place, without mining. Consol Energy operates 17 mines in the United States, and can supply coal through various modes of transportation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Locate your business or generating plant as close to the lignite provider as possible to reduce costs and ensure ample supplies of lignite.