electricity

The conversion of the Riverside coal-burning power plant, operated by Xcel Energy, from coal to natural gas will be commemorated tomorrow at a public ceremony on site in Northeast Minneapolis. Riverside is located on the Mississippi River between North and Northeast Minneapolis. The coal plant has been operating since 1911 and was the largest single source of air pollution in Minneapolis.

Changes made to the way the plant operates and the switch from dirty coal to more clean burning natural gas will cut dangerous air pollution substantially:

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)  is a precursor to fine particulates, which can cause people to develop asthma and aggravate existing lung and circulatory problems – cut 99%.
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) or smog will damage lung tissues, causing asthma attacks and other health problems – cut 96%
Particulates or soot, which are linked to lung and circulatory system problems – cut 86%
Mercury, a potent neurotoxin which can lead to developmental problems in kids and the reason every body of water in Minnesota is under a fish consumption advisory – cut 100%

A coalition of pro-business groups has formed to push for an "aggressive grassroots campaign to push for the [new nuclear power plant] moratorium's repeal," during Minnesota's 2010 legislative session.

Elk River Municipal Utilities yesterday rejected a proposal to become a partial owner in Big Stone II. Elk River’s rejection was the same day as a decision by Basin Electric Power in South Dakota to pull plans for a new coal-fired power plant.

Elk River's disavowal of coal is part of a trend. A string of 100 coal plants--with Intermountain Power coal plant in Utah as the landmark number 100-- have been defeated or abandoned since the beginning of the coal rush in 2001.  Activists calling for a transition away from coal call this a significant milestone in the shift to clean energy.

For the past six years pro-environment allies have been running a hard-hitting campaign to expose the dirty truth about coal. Tremendous grassroots pressure, rising costs, and upcoming federal carbon regulations all contributed to the demise of the 100 plants. In Minnesota hundreds of volunteers turned out to public hearings, held rallies and met with officials to push for cleaner alternatives to the Big Stone II plant.

At a June 29, special meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utility (ERMU) and the City Council to discuss alternatives for their energy supply in 2018, the Council moved to table discussion of investment the Big Stone II coal project until  July 13. 

One of the options presented was investing in 30 megawatts of the Big Stone II coal plant expansion for $90 million.  

The Utilites board will meet July 8 to discuss the proposal and have requested more detailed information from the proposers.

When asked about the liklihood of ERMU's approval Troy Adams, Director of Operations for ERMU, said "To tell you the truth, I don't know. We're waiting for more information about the finances and the risk of the project."

The Elk River Municipal Utility is considering buying into the Big Stone II coal-fired power plant proposed to be built near Milbank, South Dakota. While other utilities and other states across the Midwest and the nation are abandoning plans for building new coal plants, the Big Stone II proposers continue down this path, which critics call "uneconomic and environmentally irresponsible."

A measure to lift a ban on new nuclear power plants in Minnesota passed the Minnesota Senate 42-24 today.

Sen. Prettner Solon(DFL, Duluth) presented her energy policy omnibus bill (SF550), and Sen. Dille (R, Dassel) offered an amendment to repeal the ban on the PUC issuing certificates of need for new nuclear power plants.

See attachment for roll call. Yes votes are against the moratorium, No votes would uphold it.

20090402132611470.pdf

Hearings of the Legislative Energy Commission are set for March 25 and 26 to discuss proposals to drop the current moratorium on new nuclear power plants, in place for over a decade. With over a dozen bills introduced in the Minnesota House and Senate by legislators from both major parties, the discussion is clearly open on the future of nuclear power in the state. The first hearing is open to the public, but not public comment. An unreleased list of experts will testify. The hearing on the 26th will accept public comment.

Minnesota has two nuclear power plants, one upstream and one downstream of the Twin Cities on the Mississippi River. The Monticello nuclear plant is older, located in Monticello, MN near St. Cloud. The Prairie Island plant is south of the Cities near Redwing, MN and adjoins the Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Community.