Response to Sioux Falls Argus Leader article
Coal remains our best generation option
The Thursday, September 20, Argus Leader news story, "Reactions mixed as utility abandons coal plant project", was, for the most part, on-point. I would like to add a few thoughts from the standpoint of the Big Stone II Project.
The opponents of the Big Stone II Project say they would hope that the withdrawal of two Minnesota utilities from the project last week means a major blow to coal-fired electricity in South Dakota. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Great River Energy, the larger of the withdrawing utilities, withdrew in part because it has lost customers to electrical energy from Basin Electric Power Cooperative, a primarily coal-based utility with headquarters in Bismarck, North Dakota. Furthermore, Great River is considering another new coal-fired plant development in North Dakota as one of its future options. So, the withdrawal of Great River from Big Stone II does not reflect a mandate by its members about the use of coal.
Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) withdrew for reasons related to an internal lawsuit with one of its members. Once again, that action has nothing to do with the future of coal.
Renewable energy and additional conservation, while important future energy sources, cannot alone fulfill the needs of consumers. Moreover, using natural gas to generate electricity would subject electric consumers to the same monthly price swings that are now common in the natural gas business. Plus, electric generation by natural gas would place additional upward price pressure on other natural gas applications like residential space and water heating, and cooking.
The five remaining Big Stone II Project owner utilities are proceeding to build a major coal-fired power generation facility in South Dakota that will serve their customers in multiple states. It will reduce every regulated emission from the site, while more than doubling electricity production. The project's transmission lines will carry South Dakota-produced wind energy to markets as well.
Those who would suggest that the BSP II Project not go forward would have consumers pay more for electricity, have the result be more environmental emissions and further impede the development of renewable resources in the region.
Daniel Sharp
Communication Manager
Big Stone II Project
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