BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong today applauded President Donald Trump’s announcement of his plan to address the nation’s energy emergency with funding under the Defense Production Act, including up to $425 million for the U.S. Department of Energy for 12 projects selected to expand and reinvigorate America’s coal fleet and up to $75 million for a coal export facility.

The funding includes over $27.4 million to help pay for a $70 million proposed project to modernize two coal-fired units at North Dakota’s Antelope Valley Station, operated by Basin Electric Power Cooperative near Beulah in Mercer County. According to the DOE, the upgrades will mitigate unplanned outages, improve efficiency and increase generation capacity. The project is designed to ensure continued affordable and reliable electricity while also supporting local employment at Antelope Valley Station and Freedom Mine, the DOE said.

“North Dakota enjoys the lowest electricity rates in the nation, and investments like this will ensure our fleet of coal plants can produce clean, reliable and affordable power for decades to come,” Armstrong said. “We appreciate the continued support by President Trump and his administration for policies that support U.S. energy dominance and a more stable electric grid to serve our citizens, grow our economy and strengthen our national security. Coal country, and our entire state, will emerge even stronger from this action today.”

Prison Life in North Dakota

Every time we cross the Expressway overpass in Bismarck, you get a quick glimpse into prison life in North Dakota. Occasionally, you will see inmates in the yard doing various forms of outdoor recreation. The barbed wire that surrounds the North Dakota State Penitentiary is a sobering reminder that this is not where any sane person would ever want to spend any part of their life.

I met one of our listeners recently who works at the State Pen in Bismarck, and I got a chance to ask her some questions I’ve always wondered, mostly what life is like behind bars. “Is it like prison life in the movies?” She didn’t have a bright picture to paint, and that’s probably the way it should be, to help steer individuals away from a life of crime.

I was surprised to find out that at least some of the inmates have tablets and are allowed to go online; their online experience is very controlled. I was also told prisoners are allowed to listen to the radio, something I already knew, as I have received calls from convicts making requests before. You kind of feel the pressure behind those requests, “play it or else”. Ha!

I plan to request a tour in the future using my media credentials and give you more insight into what it’s like behind bars at the North Dakota State Penitentiary.

The 20 Worst Prisions in America

Did the North Dakota State Pen make the list? Nope.  According to MoneyInc, these are the worst prisons that even the most hardened criminal would want to avoid.

20. Ely State Prison – Ely, Nevada

19. Folson State Prison – Folson, California

18. Penitentiary of New Mexico – Santa Fe, New Mexico

17. William C. Holman Correctional Facility – Atmore, Alabama

16. Sing Sing Correctional Facility – Ossining, New York

15. San Quentin State Prison – San Rafael, California

14. Louisiana State Pen – Angola, Louisiana

13. Rikers Island – New York, New York

12. Reeves County Detention Complex – Pecos, Texas

11. Julia Tutwiler Prison – Wetumpka, Alabama

10. Pelican Bay State Prison – Crescent City, California

9. United States Pen Marrion – Marion, Illinois

8. Idaho Correctional Center – Kuna, Idaho

7. United States Penitentiary Tucson – Tucson, Arizona

6. Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary – Leavenworth, Kansas

5. Orleans Parish Prison – New Orleans, Louisiana

4. Men’s Central Jail & Twin Towers Correctional Facility – Los Angeles, California

3. Tent City Jail – Phoenix, Arizona

2. Allan B. Polungky Unit – Livingtonston, Texas

1. US Penitentiary Administrative Maximum – Florence, Colorado

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