North Dakota coal mines produced 30.3 million tons of lignite in 2006.

It marked the eighth straight year that coal production in the state surpassed 30 million tons, said Steve Van Dyke, spokesman for Partners for Affordable Energy, a coalition that supports coal-based electricity.

Van Dyke said about 79 percent of the lignite produced last year was used to generate electricity. The remainder was used to produce synthetic natural gas and fertilizer.

Coteau Properties' Freedom Mine produced more than 15 million tons. Dakota Westmoreland's Beulah Mine, which also is in Mercer County, produced 2.6 million tons.

McLean County, home to the Falkirk Mine, produced 8.1 million tons, and Oliver County, home to BNI Coal's Center Mine, produced 4.2 million tons.

The lignite industry accounts for about 24,000 direct and indirect employment jobs, the group said. The industry paid $81.7 million in taxes in 2006, the group said.

-Associated Press