Each year, as part of its youth education program, Dakota Valley Electric offers two bus tours to western North Dakota’s energy facilities at no cost to students. Schools in the Dakota Valley service area are selected on alternating years to participate in these educational tours.
Tour stops vary from school to school, depending on each school’s home location and how far their students must travel to reach western North Dakota. The tour stops include the Antelope Valley Station, Coteau Freedom Mine, Garrison Dam, Great Plains Synfuels Plant, and the North Dakota Wind Energy Center.
On the tour, which lasts a full day, students board their own school buses and are escorted by Dakota Valley personnel. All meals are provided throughout the day by Dakota Valley Electric. The tours allow students a first-hand look at the generation of electricity from coal, a look at one of two gasification plants in the entire world, and a ride down into a coal mine. They will visit a power plant and learn about the many job opportunities available in North Dakota's energy industry. It is a full day that will provide great insight into one of North Dakota’s most promising and brightest industries.