July 8, 2026 - A new facility bringing innovation to the coal industry is coming to Underwood, North Dakota.

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) awarded $75 million to five coal-related pilot projects across the country.

One will be at the Falkirk mine and run by the University of North Dakota.

It will use new technologies, such as artificial intelligence sorting, sensing and more, to improve productivity.

A department spokesperson said it will also aid in looking into new uses for lignite.

“News way to take the lignite that come out of these processes and upgrade them, so that they are useful in higher value materials including fertilizers, as well as battery grade materials,” said Chris Saldaña.

The hope is it will create more jobs and expand innovation.

UND and other organizations are working on getting the facility details planned out and setting a timetable for work to begin.