Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. has been an active sponsor of research regarding technology that removes mercury from lignite-based electric generation facilities. The lignite industry in North Dakota collaborated, with the aide of the U.S. Department of Energy, on research to develop mercury removal technology for various boiler configurations used by the industry.

Montana-Dakota's Lewis & Clark Station in Sidney, Mont., hosted a three-week test, completed in the spring of 2007, to assess a variety of mercury removal products and equipment.

Montana-Dakota has sponsored many research projects in conjunction with other lignite utilities, the Lignite Energy Council, DOE and the North Dakota Industrial Commission.

Montana-Dakota's environmental manager was among those honored with the 2005 Distinguished Service Award by the North Dakota Lignite Energy Council in recognition of efforts to research mercury emissions controls for lignite-based electric generation facilities.