Episode 27: CO₂as a Commodity: Turning a Challenge into Opportunity

About this episode

The episode discusses the potential of carbon capture and utilization in securing the future of the lignite and oil and gas industries.

One of the biggest headline-makers of the past year has been carbon capture and utilization. Let's separate the fact from the fiction, and look at how captured carbon can secure a long-term future for both the lignite industry and the state's oil and gas industry. In November 2025 Mike Holmes, the Lignite Energy Council Executive VP of Research & Development, sat down with Ron Ness, President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, Charles Gorecki, CEO of the EERC, and Conway Nelson, Director of Carbon Management at Rainbow Energy Center, to explore the role carbon plays in powering industry innovation.

People in this episode

Host: Mike Holmes

Guests: Ron Ness, Charles Gorecki, Conway Nelson

Topics covered

• carbon capture
• utilization
• lignite industry
• oil and gas
• industry innovation

Keywords

• carbon capture
• utilization
• lignite
• oil and gas
• industry innovation
• Mike Holmes
• Ron Ness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Lignite Energy Council, North Dakota Petroleum Council, EERC, Rainbow Energy Center

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• Episode 32: Fireside Chat: Reflections and the Road Ahead · February 9, 2026 · 44 min
• Episode 31: Keynote Speaker – Aaron Witt, BuildWitt · January 26, 2026 · 59 min
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