WASHBURN - People ages 18 to 80 gathered in Washburn on Tuesday to talk about a roadmap to energy's future.

The diverse group of about 75 people came up with a mix of ideas that will be melded with ideas gathered in five other states and presented to state, federal and industry decision-makers over the next year.

The project will result in a written report and is sponsored by the Great Plains Institute to get "grass-roots" input on how the future of energy ought to look for everything from lignite coal to hydrogen cells.

The meeting drew people from throughout Coal Country and Bismarck-Mandan, many of them energy employees or citizens representing local governments and community development groups.

Project manager Brad Crabtree said he was pleased with the turnout for what was the first of a six-state tour to meet with hometown folks.

With Christmas nearing and small-town gyms holding girls basketball games all around, Crabtree said the attendance was excellent.

Don Sondrol, of Turtle Lake, said his community would be reduced to a retirement village if it wasn't for energy jobs.

Instead, two of his children remain in the community, where they're raising his grandchildren.

"I'm afraid they wouldn't be here without it (energy work)," he said.

He said he came to the meeting because he'd like to see his grandchildren work somewhere "in the community of North Dakota, at least."

His group wanted to see population growth and for North Dakota to be a model for responsible and structured energy development.

Other ideas were for a localized research center that would include byproduct development, for improved transmission and pipeline systems, for North Dakota to be an energy provider of choice, and a climate for colleges to train the energy workforce.

Steve Dennison, of Washburn, has a business that specializes in steel and concrete work at energy sites.

He said his biggest issue is finding workers.

His discussion group talked quite a bit about protecting the environment in any future energy development.

"I think we have the technology to protect our environment and make energy," he said. "Other places are not so hot at that."

Thomas Abe, of Hazen, a retired energy worker, said he is also concerned that energy development is done the right way for the environment.

Rep. Jon Nelson, R-Wolford, is among regional legislators who are involved in the institute's Powering the Prairies initiative.

Nelson said the future looks bright for biodiesels and biofuels, which will combine energy and agriculture to the benefit of both.

He said he believes grass-roots input "still means something. I don't think there's any question that people in North Dakota believe in a diverse energy portfolio."

He said the benefit to the energy roadmap project is that it is sparking conversation about the future.

"It's pretty exciting," Nelson said.

Meetings also will be held in Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Manitoba, Canada. Energy executives, farm organizations, agricultural producers, state and provincial officials, and environmentalists also will contribute to the energy roadmap document.

For more information, call Crabtree at 701-647-2041 or e-mail bcrabtree@;gpisd.net.