Flexible water usage plan will protect Big Stone Lake
Since inception, the seven utilities involved in the Big Stone II project have looked for ways to add 630 megawatts of generating capacity at the Big Stone Power Station near Big Stone City, S.D., in the most environmentally sensitive manner possible.
We intend to invest in a boiler design that will reduce the carbon dioxide emissions 20 percent below those of other existing coal-fired plants. We intend to invest in a wet scrubber system that not only will clean the air emissions from the Big Stone II but also from Big Stone I. We are proposing additional transmission capacity to allow for needed wind energy development. And, after concerns were raised that drawing water from Big Stone Lake for the two plants would negatively impact lake levels during times of possible drought, we have proposed an alternative that would serve the needs of our customers and protect the lake.
Earlier this year, we completed an evaluation of an aquifer near our Big Stone site that indicated that the aquifer had sufficient water to supply supplemental water needs for the plant.
We have since filed an application with the South Dakota Water Management Board for a permit to use up to 10,000 acre feet of groundwater per year from the aquifer.
Under our revised plan, Big Stone I and Big Stone II will use water from Big Stone Lake in accordance with conditions set for their permits. Only limited pumping can occur, however, when the lake's level falls below 967 feet elevation. At that point, we intend to use water pumped from the aquifer. Using groundwater will provide drought protection for both Big Stone I and Big Stone II when we cannot pump from Big Stone Lake.
We believe this is a good plan that will protect both Big Stone Lake and everyone who will get power from the two plants. Use of the aquifer will not have significant impact on its volume or availability for other users. It will ease the pumping pressure on Big Stone Lake and eliminate the need for a planned 450-acre storage pond on the Big Stone site.
We always have believed that developing a needed second baseload power plant at the Big Stone site can be done in ways that do not compromise our commitment to the environment or the communities we serve. Our proposed overall water plan remains consistent with these principles.Sincerely,
Mark Rolfes
Big Stone II Project Manager
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