1983 Great Plains Synfuels Belt Buckle

During the energy crisis of the 1970s, U.S. was anxious to become energy independent. One new alternative discussed was to convert coal into natural gas. Today, The Great Plains Synfuel Plant in Beulah, ND is the only coal gasification plant in the U.S. that produces natural gas.

Funding and legislation for this concept developed through the late 1970s so that construction of the plant could begin in 1981. During the next three years, the building of pipelines, the plant and coal delivery systems became the largest construction projects in North America. On April 24, 1984, the plant began production and sale of medium BTU gas.

To commemorate this leap in energy technology and massive construction project, G S Chicha of Spokane, WA was commissioned to produce this belt buckle in 1983.