After three years of fighting the construction of a second coal-fired power plant near Big Stone Lake in South Dakota, the fight could come to a close! Not only is the existing coal plant one of the dirtiest coal plants in the country (grandfathered in to avoid pollution restrictions in the 1970s), but the expansion plant will avoid Minnesota’s stricter environmental regulations by being built in South Dakota, even though almost all of the electricity would go to Minnesota. If Big Stone II were to become operational it would negate the efforts of Minnesota reduce it’s greenhouse gas emissions. Although South Dakota is poised to let Otter Tail Power construct the new coal plant, Minnesota is currently deciding whether or not to allow the transmission lines from Big Stone II to the Twin Cities to be built.

Today, over 100 people turned out to attend the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission hearing on Big Stone II. Youth from the Twin Cities and all over Minnesota attended the meeting to share why they oppose the plant. On Thursday, June 5th, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will vote on the “Certificate of Need” for the transmission lines specifically for this plant expansion. This is the final permitting process within Minnesota for the proposed Big Stone II coal plant expansion — and could be the final nail in the coffin on this proposal. Recently, an Administrative Law Judge with the Public Utilities Commission recommended against issuing the certificate of need, citing that the power demand could be met better and more affordably with energy efficiency and renewable energy. Now, the Public Utilities Commission is the final say, voting on that recommendation. If the PUC votes not to issue the certificate, the Big Stone II proposal is over.

Additionally, while Governor Pawlenty cannot tell the PUC what to do, his office’s position on Big Stone II will affect their decision. This is an opportunity for Governor Pawlenty to deliver on his message that Minnesota is committed to addressing global warming, and that he is willing to walk the green talk. He has cover for this, because the Administrative Law Judge DID recommend against Big Stone II, so it’s not like he would be taking a position that hasn’t been well substantiated. Governor Pawlenty needs to know that while this is an opportunity for him and he could be championed, and that the converse of that is true as well.

If you are in Minnesota on Thursday, join the Sierra Club, CURE, the Minnesota Environmental Partnership and others and show up at 9:30 am to the PUC Offices in the Metro Square Building, located 121 7th Place East, St. Paul. If you can come and show your support, please RSVP and let us know you’re coming.

If you are not in Minnesota, can’t make the meeting, or even if you can, call Governor Pawlenty’s office and urge him to take a public position against the Big Stone II coal plant. Tell him to follow through on his commitment to clean energy and a healthy Minnesota. His office can be reached at 651-296-3391.

This is an incredible opportunity to stop one of the worst proposed coal-fired power plants in the country. Help us demonstrate loud and clear that more coal is unacceptable!