Elk River Municipal Power to Decide: Invest in Big Stone II Coal Burner?
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."
Big Stone II partners, led by Ottertail Power, are urging the Elk River Muni to invest in the coal expansion, located near the newly restored Big Stone Lake on the Minnesota border. According to the partners, the expansion is badly needed to increase baseload power in the region. Their website says, "Conservative estimates by the Mid-Continent Area Power Pool (MAPP) indicate that electricity consumption in the MAPP region will increase by 15% during the next decade."
Clean Water Action, a Minnesota environmental group, has challenged plans for Big Stone II, saying it would "call for using massive amounts of water. In addition to the 3.2 billion gallon surface draw approved last year, co-owners have now filed for another 3.2 billion gallons from groundwater. This huge demand for water could be disastrous for the local area and farmers - as well as Big Stone Lake."
Opponents of the plan, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, have also criticized the expansion on economic grounds, citing increasing fuel costs and projected carbon fees as reasons not to invest in coal.
What is the best option for power needs in the region? Elk River City Council members will be asked to evaluate different scenarios. Big Stone II opponents say energy efficiency and clean energy technologies are the way forward. BSII partners insist there is an important place for baseload coal-burning power plants.
Hearing Information:
Elk River City Council/Municipal Utility meeting to discuss whether Elk River Municipal Utility should purchase a share of Big Stone II
Elk River City Hall – Uppertown Conference Room
13065 Orono Parkway, Elk River
When: June 29th - 5:30 pm
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if you think putting in a new
if you think putting in a new coal plant is bad, ya should check out Enbridge's program with Murphy Oil. They are piping the tar sand oil to Superior WI, where said companies are expanding the oil refinery near Lake Superior (one of the largest fresh water sources in the world) to produce 10% of the U.S. consumption a year. The energy to crack tar sand oil is emense and will need an expansion on their local power plants. These two elements combined will produce a shit ton of sulfer in the air and water.
Call In Day against Big Stone II Monday June 29
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In conjunction with the Elk River City Council meeting on Monday June 29, we are urging everyone to take a few moments and contact the City Council and Energy City Commission to demand they say no to big coal!
Elk River has been known as "Energy City" since 1997 when the Minnesota Environmental Initiative chose it from over 30 other applying communities to act as a geographical focal point for the demonstration of efficient and renewable energy products, services, and technologies.
With this designation(and Federal money) comes a commitment to source their power in a responsible way. Tell them that buying into the Big Stone II project is not the way to be a world-reknowned model for community sourced, renewable energy.
Call the following people on Monday June 29 and tell them to say no to buying into the Big Stone II project.
Mayor/City Council
Email: nick.zerwas@ci.elk-river.mn.us
John Dietz
Phone: 763.441.5783
Daryl Thompson
Phone: 763.441.3775
City of Elk River Energy City Commission
Todd Berreman
Energy-Related Business Representative
Phone: 612.321.4311
Dennis Chuba
Energy-Related Business Representative
Phone: 763.441.4488
Martin Gagliardi
Environmental Representative
Phone: 763.441.3800
Scott Hagen
Energy-Related Business Representative
Phone: 763.856.3327
Rachel Leonard
Sherburne County Board Representative
Phone: 763.856.2497
Susie Overholser
Energy-Related Business Representative
Phone: 763.241.3110 ext 15
Stephen Rohlf
Chamber of Commerce Representative
Phone: 763.441.4691
Bruce Sayler
Energy-Related Business Representative
Phone: 763.323.2685
John Setala
Energy-Related Business Representative
Phone: 763.241.1532
Ron Touchette
EDA Representative
Phone: 612.685.0373
Jeff Vasser
Elk River Landfill Representative
Phone: 763.441.2464
Vance Zehringer
Elk River Municipal Utilities Representative
Phone: 763.635.1330
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