North Dakota’s lignite coal industry accounted for nearly $3 billion in business activity last year, The Associated Press reported. Partners for Affordable Energy said that’s up nearly $500 million from 2008; adding the increase comes from upgrades to the state’s six lignite fired powered plants and construction of a seventh near Jamestown. An economic study said that about 27,000 people are directly or indirectly employed by the lignite industry. The study said the state is expected to get nearly $93 million in tax revenue from lignite related business this year, compared to less than $80 million in 2006.

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