Dr. Everett Sondreal, a pivotal figure at the EERC, passed away at the age of 90. With over 60 years in energy research, his leadership shaped the EERC's mission and standards. He was a mentor and advisor, recognized for his influence and rigorous expectations, enhancing the Center's credibility and impact.
Category: Our People
Making the Mission Personal: How EERC Teams Connect Their Work to the Mission
The EERC emphasizes the importance of team mission statements to foster a sense of purpose among employees, improving collaboration and alignment with organizational goals. Leaders encourage reflection on individual contributions, ensuring that every role connects to the broader mission.
Energy Hawks Soar Through the Stateโs Energy Landscape
Through immersive field experiences and collaborative research projects, this yearโs Energy Hawks Interns tackled some of the stateโs most pressing energy challenges with a focus on innovation and community impact.
Meet the 2025 Energy Hawks
Established in 2018, the Energy Hawks is a group of graduate and undergraduate students from a wide range of disciplines focused on adding value to North Dakotaโs energy industry through a broad range of concepts.
EERC Recognized for Outstanding Support of Breastfeeding Employeesย
The EERC is proud to announce that it has been recognized by the Greater Grand Forks Breastfeeding Coalition and Grand Forks Public Health for its outstanding efforts in supporting breastfeeding employees in the workplace.
EERC Concludes Another Year Supporting the NRM Backpack Program
Since 2018, the EERC has proudly partnered with Northlands Rescue Missionโs Backpack Program to fight food insecurity among children in our community.
Celebrating the 2024 Core Value Award Recipients
Each year, the EERC recognizes five employees who exemplify our core values: Be Safe, Be Ethical, Be Engaged, Be Effective, and Be Professional. These individuals go above and beyond in their roles, demonstrating exceptional dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Congratulations to this yearโs honorees!
EERC Welcomes New Employees
Over the 6 past months, 9 new employees have joined our team. We are happy to welcome them to the EERC! Chenyu Wu Reservoir Engineer Cole Stenseth Budget Analyst Creighton Brown Senior Outreach and Community Benefits Specialist Elise Ellis Principal Accountant Jaron Capps Data Visualization Specialist Hayden Yates Geospatial Solutions Specialist Kripa Thapa Geospatial Solutions… Continue reading EERC Welcomes New Employees
Science, Community, and the Spirit of the Season
An expansive seismic survey is currently underway in McLean County, spanning an impressive 232 square miles. This geophysical endeavor aims to unlock the secrets of the subsurface rock layers more than a mile below ground. But beneath the scientific objectives lies an equally compelling story of community support and connection.
Lignite Energy Council Recognizes Tom Erickson for Outstanding Contributions to Research and Development
The LEC awarded Tom Erickson, the EERCโs COO and VP for Intellectual Property, with the 2024 Distinguished Service Award for Research and Development. This honor was presented at the Councilโs annual meeting held on October 3 at the Bismarck Event Center, where industry leaders gathered to celebrate advancements and achievements in lignite energy.

