No more mercury!
August 28, 2007
Let's be clear about this: Adding Big Stone II to the existing Big Stone Plant will NOT increase mercury at the site.
We have done our homework to minimize mercury emissions. By using technology that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined to be the best demonstrated technology for sub-bituminous coal, we will be able to control mercury emissions from the new Big Stone II and the existing Big Stone I so that the total mercury emissions will be less than those from Big Stone I 2004 levels. Big Stone II will meet all state and federal requirements to control mercury emissions using equipment that is equivalent to the technology used by large Minnesota generating facilities to meet the Minnesota Mercury Reduction Act of 2006.
We understand the importance of clean, plentiful water supplies and have planned carefully to minimize the impact of our water needs on yours. The new plant will more than double the electrical output; however, mercury will not increase and our existing pumping conditions and restrictions from Big Stone Lake will remain the same as the past 30 years.
Every decision made regarding this project—from site selection to water use to technology selection—was the result of thoughtful consideration of how best to provide the electricity you need while being responsible environmental stewards and good neighbors.
By any measure, the seven utilities involved in the Big Stone II project are concerned about environmental protection. Limiting our mercury emissions to the 2004 level while more than doubling the site's generating capacity is a significant accomplishment.
Sincerely,
Mark Rolfes
Big Stone II Project Manager
Updates:
On August 31, 2007, the Big Stone II participants announced their commitment to comply with the 2006 Minnesota Mercury Reduction Act. In so doing, the participants will use technology that will most likely result in the removal of 90 percent or more of the mercury from the Big Stone site. Thus, the amount of power generated at the site will more than double while mercury emissions will be reduced to about half of the current level.
In addition, in September 2007, the number of Big Stone II participating utilities was reduced to five with the exit of Great River Energy and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency.
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