Great Plains Coal Gasification Project

The Great Plains Coal Gasification Project was an initiative in North Dakota that aimed to convert coal into cleaner-burning gas. This process, called gasification, involves heating coal with steam and oxygen to produce syngas, which can be used to generate electricity or create fuels and chemicals. The project began in the 1980s to promote energy independence and reduce pollution compared to direct coal burning. Although it faced economic and technical challenges, it served as a model for future energy projects focused on utilizing coal more sustainably while exploring alternative energy sources.