(WASHINGTON, DC)?U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan today announced that he has secured $500,000 for Bismarck State College to develop a Web-based energy education accreditation program for U.S. Navy personnel.

Dorgan, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, secured the funding as part of the FY 2009 Defense Appropriations bill.

Senator Dorgan created the National Power Plant Operations Technology and Education Center at BSC through a provision in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Under this new Navy project, BSC will provide Navy personnel with an online curriculum that will give them an accredited education specifically related to power plant operations and technology.

The online energy accreditation program will improve recruitment and retention by allowing sailors to complete Navy-relevant higher education without having to attend an in-residence institution.

"Bismarck State College is home to a world-class energy education program. This funding will help expand its capabilities and help the Navy train its personnel at the same time," Dorgan said. "That will help strengthen the Navy and give a boost to the Great Plains Energy Corridor."


The bill goes next to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. A full list of North Dakota projects in the bill is

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