N.D. power plant to open in late 2010

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Developers say North Dakota's first coal-fired power plant in a quarter century will be operating late this year at the Spiritwood Industrial Park near Jamestown.

But a sister plant that would cook stalks of corn and wheat into fuel has suffered some setbacks, including a lost federal grant and a partner that has pulled out of the project.

Maple Grove, Minn.-based Great River Energy is building the 64 megawatt coal-fired power plant at the complex.

Company spokeswoman Sandra Broekema says the plant will open before the end of the year.

Great River Energy in November was denied a $35.2 million grant from the U.S. Energy Department for a biomass energy plant in the industrial park. And one of three partners pulled out this month.

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