Byron Dorgan: “I rise to support the Education and Training Center for the Power Generation Industry at Bismarck State College.…”

“I rise to support the Education and Training Center for the Power Generation Industry at Bismarck State College. Although funding for this program is not explicitly mentioned in the Interior Appropriations bill, I would like to see the relationship between Bismarck State College (BSC) and the Department of Energy grow during the next fiscal year as BSC builds on its Partnership to Improve Energy Technology Training and Education. Last year, BSC's Energy Technology Program received $50,000 in competitive Federal funding to develop a new curriculum based on conventional and advanced power technologies. Given that the Chairman has been kind enough to increase the budget request for fossil fuel research and development, I would hope that the DoE will provide the funds to expand this program next year, especially given the challenges that the power industry will face in the coming years. I applaud those at Bismarck State College who have been working on this project, and it is my hope that the Committee could provide some funding for this program as we move this bill to conference so that the College could further develop the curriculum plan and provide nationwide online courses in power generation management.”