February 13, 2008
The regional transmission grid needs Big Stone II
I'm responding to a letter (“Repeal absurd state law”) that appeared in the Sunday, February 3, 2008, edition of the Bismarck Tribune. The letter regards the Big Stone II Project, a coal-fired power plant planned to be built in northeastern South Dakota.
Bob White, the author, writes:
• North Dakotans should not have to pay for a South Dakota power plant – one that will neither create new jobs in North Dakota nor use North Dakota coal, and which will not send its electricity back to North Dakota.
• Two of the participating companies (Otter Tail Power Company and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.) should meet their power needs with wind and/or biofuels instead of an out-of-state coal plant.
The electric transmission system is regional. Power generated across the upper Midwest is transmitted to customers who need it – regardless of their state of residence or business – and can actually flow far to the south and east. About two-thirds of the power generated in North Dakota is exported. However, because North Dakota is part of the regional system, customers in North Dakota may receive power generated in other states. It's just a matter of physics. For instance, energy from Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.'s 20-megwatt wind farm near Baker, Montana, will flow to customers in three states, and is available to the entire system.
The Big Stone II owners selected the South Dakota site (the location of an existing power plant) because it makes the most operational and economic sense from the standpoint of water resources, existing coal-handling equipment and best access to the regional transmission system. The site will help ensure regional reliability and help foster the development of 800 to 1,000 megawatts of new wind energy facilities.
On the second point, Big Stone II will be a baseload plant – meaning its power will be available around the clock, except during times of repair and scheduled maintenance. Wind energy, the most prominent regional form of renewable energy, is not available when the wind is not blowing and cannot be a substitute for a coal-fired facility. The wind, however, does provide us with energy when the wind resource is available.
Our resource models show Big Stone II to be Montana-Dakota's and Otter Tail's best generation option. As such, it will allow both companies to help keep the cost of electricity as low as possible to our customers and, therein, help keep our regional economy on a competitive footing, which will help job growth here in North Dakota.
Bruce Imsdahl
President and CEO
Montana-Dakota Utilities Co
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