Education

ENERGY TOUR INFORMATION:

Organizations, schools, or families in the Dakota Valley service area can book tours of Basin Electric's North Dakota electric generation power plants or the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. Appointments are required and restrictions may apply.

Basin Electric offers tours of the Antelope Valley Station and Great Plains Synfuels Plant near Beulah, ND. And tours can be coordinated with Coteau Properties Company Freedom Mine. The tours are free and open to the public, but appointments are required, and restrictions may apply.  

Please contact Dakota Valley at 1-800-342-4671 or email pats@dakotavalley.com to check availability and to schedule a tour.

Assistance offered for school-sponsored tours

Each year, as part of their youth education program, Dakota Valley Electric and Basin Electric Power Cooperative offer assistance to school districts within the DVEC service area. The funds help defray costs associated with touring the Antelope Valley coal-based generating plant, the Coteau Freedom coal mine and the Great Plains coal gasification plant, which are all located near Beulah in western North Dakota.

To encourage participation in these school tours, Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative will furnish $10.00 per person towards the evening meal on the trip back home.

Transportation and supervision of students must be provided by the local school districts. 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. For more information, call (800) 342-4671.

Recognizing that school budgets are often tight, and to help defray trip expenses, Dakota Valley Electric's board of directors has approved a $150 donation to any high school in the cooperative's service area that takes a group of students to the state Capitol to view North Dakota's legislative process in action; which meets every other year from January through April; Ex: 2021, 2023, 2025.

Scholarships

This scholarship program recognizes and encourages the academic achievements of the students within our service territory by helping defray the costs of furthering their education.

Each year, Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative donates $1,000 to each of the high schools in our service territory with a Dollars for Scholars Chapter or an individual Scholarship Association.  This scholarship must be awarded to a qualifying dependent of an active Dakota Valley Electric member.

Applicants for the scholarship must be high school seniors enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time course of study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational/technical school.

Scholarship recipients will be chosen by the local chapter.

A letter will be sent to area high schools in January of each year, announcing the program.  Call us at 1-800-342-4671 for more details.

This scholarship program recognizes and encourages the academic achievements of students in the region,and serves as an investment in the economic future of rural areas.

Annually, each of the 135 electric cooperatives that make up Basin Electric Power Cooperative (including Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative) receives $1,000 from Basin Electric to award a scholarship to a qualifying dependent of a Dakota Valley Electric member, who will be enrolled as a college freshman for the upcoming school year.

Applicants for the scholarship must be high school seniors enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time course of study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational/technical school.

Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on a combination of SAT/ACT scores and overall grade-point average, work experience, participation in school and community activities, a personal statement of career goals, a written recommendation by a third party and a written essay. Download the application here.

Previous scholarship winners:

 

  • 2024
    Ashlyn Foertsch

  • 2023
    Lauren Haugen, Wyndmere

  • 2022
    Mollie Robbins, LaMoure

  • 2021
    Alayna Pausch, Wahpeton

  • 2020
    Caleb Hauck, Ellendale
    Kiauna Bergh, Forman

  • 2019
    Lucas Nitschke, Jud

  • 2018
    Gabriel Lothspeich, Wyndmere

  • 2017 
    Abbey Forward, Oakes

  • 2016
    Joshua Geinert, Nortonville

  • 2015
    Madison Ryckman, Oakes

  • 2014
    Taylor Wyum, Rutland

  • 2013
    Hallie Anderson, Edgeley 

  • 2012
    Steven Giesler, Kulm 

  • 2011
    Makenzie Sell, Oakes 

  • 2010
    David Goerger, Wyndmere

  • 2009
    Courtney Euschner, Gwinner
    Logan Metzen, Hankinson

  • 2008
    Thomas Keller, Wyndmere

  • 2007
    Ashton Breker, Havana

  • 2006
    Kelly Brademeyer, Verona

  • 2005
    Krista Vogel, Kulm

  • 2004
    Scott Brendt, Cayuga
    Mark Potts, Verona
    Darcy Brandenburg, Edgeley

  • 2003
    Alex Radermacher, Edgeley
    Cassandra Ptacek, Oakes
    Amy Weeda, Wahpeton

  • 2002
    Greg Schildberger, Hankinson
    Ryan Delahoyde, Cogswell
    Erica Leigh Martin, Forbes

  • 2001
    Kayla Foertsch, Mantador
    Christopher Erlandson, Oakes
    Sarah Kaiser, Ellendale
    Will Kusler, Kulm

  • 2000
    Daniel Krumli, Hankinson
    Emilie Holweg, Marion
    Rae Anne Skattum, Adrian

  • 1999
    Karen Potts, Verona

  • 1998
    Sadie Feist, Edgeley

  • 1997
    Kellie Bitz, LaMoure

  • 1996
    Kimberly Bitz, LaMoure

  • 1995
    Kristi Schlosser, Edgeley

  • 1994
    Nicole Rohrbeck, Marion
    Terra Shockman, Berlin

  • 1993
    Lori Geinger, Streeter

  • 1992
    Dana Aberle, Edgeley