Bismarck, N.D. (AP) A North Dakota physicist will be advising federal officials on coal power policies following his appointment to the national coal council.
Mike Jones is now part of the group that meets twice annually to develop a white paper on key issues surrounding coal.
Jones is the vice president of research and development for the Lignite Energy Council and technical adviser to the North Dakota Industrial Commission.
Jones says he hopes to use his background as a researcher to help others better understand existing and developing technology options.
U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz says he appointed Jones to represent the views of groups "that advance the economic, efficient and environmentally clean uses of lignite coal.''