The Minnesota Legislature has approved a new 855MW natural gas power plant in Chisago County. Used primarily for peak loads, it would emit about 2 million tons/year of carbon dioxide (CO2). Its power output would be about the same as another proposed plant. That's the base load 500MW coal fueled Big Stone II plant which would be more heavily used.
Big Stone II, just over the border in South Dakota, is opposed throughout Minnesota. Its purpose is to help five Minnesota electric coops meet growing base load power demand.
The Big Stone II project includes upgrading the existing Big Stone I plant to reduce particulate emissions, like mercury and sulfur. Both plants will then emit fewer particulates than come from Big Stone I today. Big Stone II will emit about 4 million tons of CO2 annually.
Some say that wind turbines can supply this new electric power capacity. That would require at least 1,200MW of wind turbines, new natural gas plants for backup, and a substantial new transmission grid. Total cost of that program would be $4-$5 billion, at least.
Big Stone II costs $1.6 billion.
Rolf Westgard,
Deerwood
