Coal has been king in North Dakota when it comes to energy production, but that could all be changing. Three major wind power projects currently being considered by the state could soon see the renewable energy source leapfrog coal for total energy produced.

KX News reports that currently coal and lignite factories produce roughly 4,000 megawatts of energy, while wind farms produce over 3,000 megawatts. Early projections show these new wind projects could increase state wind farm output to over 3,800 megawatts, with room to grow.

A group called North Dakotans for Comprehensive Energy Solutions has been promoting the benefits of wind energy. The group points out that not only are wind farms a good source of clean energy, but they are a good source of revenue for counties as well.

A new project in Ward County being evaluatd by the state called Ruso Wind Partners, has the potential to nearly double the county's revenue from wind farms.

Tammy Ibach, a spokesperson for North Dakotans For Comprehensive Energy Solutions, talked to KX News about that earning potential.

"Ward County sits at about $400,000 annually in revenue from wind energy," she said. "[Th project] could take it to about $700,000 annually."

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