Big Stone II Coal Plant: Big Mistake
by Union of Concerned Scientists on 10.17.06
Seven regional utility companies are planning on building a new coal power plant – Big Stone II – in South Dakota, just across the Minnesota border. The utilities are selling the project as a cost-effective means of producing new power. But the numbers do not add up.
The utilities recently announced that the capital costs of the project would increase by 50 percent to $1.8 billion. And this new figure does not include the cost of new federal laws, likely to be enacted in the next five years, which will target coal power plants to reduce global warming pollution. These new laws will change the economics of power generation. According to an analysis sponsored by the Union of Concerned Scientists and three Minnesota groups, the most likely climate regulations would increase the cost of energy coming from Big Stone II by 37 to 46 percent. That comes out to an average additional cost of $86 million per year.
The Big Stone II utilities are ignoring these future costs, saying, “if new regulations come, we’ll deal with it.” But dealing with global warming regulations later will expose ratepayers to much higher costs.
Their approach is especially short-sighted when there are alternative sources like wind energy that are more efficient, cheaper, cleaner, local, and renewable. Factoring in future CO2 costs, Big Stone II would cost more than other options that rely on the region’s phenomenal wind resources.
The project still requires approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission before it can be built. If you live in the Minnesota area you can take action to let the PUC and the utility companies know that you want your power to come from cheaper, cleaner alternatives such as wind power.
South Dakota... hmm sounds like a darn good place for a wind farm. If these power companies have shareholders, they could force this off the adjenda with a proxy vote. Don't they realize the ROI on wind power is going to be much higher. Not to mention, who many wind turbines could you install for $1.8 Billion plus the extra $86 million a year going forward.
Disgusting.
All the public hearings are already over.
Yes, the public hearings are over, but you can still write letters to the Public Utilities Commission and your own utility company.
wish I would have known about this sooner!
I live in SOuth Dakota...and I didn't even hear about this...?
oh well...I dont care where my power comes from...as long as it keeps on a commin.
This is nothing. They plan to do another one in Kingsburg, South Carolina near Myrtle Beach and they haven't broken ground yet. It's supposed to cost $1B.
"this new figure does not include the cost of new federal laws, likely to be enacted in the next five years, which will target coal power plants to reduce global warming pollution. These new laws will change the economics of power generation."
I suspect the possibility of new laws or regulations has spurred the recent burst of coal plant development as they are hoping plants built prior to any new regulations are grandfathered in. Electric utilities and coal companies make big political contributions which make these hopes likely to become reality. Another point to be made is that some of the more progressive electric companies want to build cleaner IGCC plants but are being prevented from doing so by public utility boards.
I've recently written an indepth post looking at coal:
http://alt-e.blogspot.com/2006/10/clean-coal-or-dirty-coal.html
James
Alternative Energy Blog
oh well...I dont care where my power comes from...as long as it keeps on a commin.
Yet you come to a site called "Treehugger".
Our goal is to make people care. Where you power comes from has a much bigger impact on you and others over time than if you pay $1,000 more or less in taxes this year (yet I'm sure you care about that). It's about education and giving people a sense of proportions.
Yes, the Dakotas has a lot of wind - we have some small (very small) wind farms. I live in North Dakota, and I wish they would switch from burning coal, but it's our main source of power generation here. Most of it goes out of state to other consumers though. We get stuck with the mercury and air pollution.
The utility companies are remarkably thick-headed about developing wind power. Wind power is being developed, but slowly. It would develop faster if the utility companies would get behind it. Not sure why they are resisting so much. They wouldn't lose money on wind, I think.
There is another public hearing for BSII it is January 10 2008 in Ortonville, MN. It is the last chance for the public to make comments.
The hearing is at 200 Monroe Ave in Ortonville MN at 6pm. This is the publics last chance to voice our power aginst BS II. We can stop this power is in numbers how amazing would it be if there were so many people to testify agianst BS II that the hearing lasted until the wee early morning hours.
Big Stone II makes logical sense. Our earth has produced us several hundred years of coal to use. Wind Power needs Big Stone II transmission lines or the wind power isnt going anywhere. Big Stone II will be cleaner than Big Stone I. The Libs of this country has caused oil prices to sky rocket, and eletricity will do the same. I live within 5 miles of Big Stone I now and I really appreciate having a great source of electricity. The wind doesnt blow when it is the hotest or coldest, and that is when the Big Stone Power Plant is worth a fortune!
I find the photo included at the start of this article interesting. Three large smoke stacks pumping out the smoke.
I have a cabin on Big Stone lake and can assure you that the smoke stack from Big Stone 1 blows no smoke.
My concern is for the water, I have heard that they may need to pump water out of the lake for the plant. I don't know if that is true or not and was looking for info when I found this place.
I find it also interesting that all of the postings are relatively old, from 2006... guess were all just 'for' the latest topic...
Ya, wind is great, if you don't mind looking at all those giant mills tumbling...
We have loads of Coal.... I say heh, let's do it all...
I'm for nukes too... You can't get anything cleaner than nukes!!! Carbon Free and they can power up all those clean electric cars we will be motoring in...
Oh, well, back to the lake, the "eye's" are biting!!!