Proposed Big Stone II Generating Plant

Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
Fresh Energy
Izaak Walton League of America
Wind on the Wires
Union of Concerned Scientists
Sierra Club
Completed 2006

Synapse was asked to examine whether the co-owners of the proposed Big Stone II had demonstrated that the demand for electricity cannot be met more cost effectively through energy conservation and load-management measures or through renewable resources. The testimony filed by Synapse found that the Big Stone II co-owners had not adequately considered the risks associated with building a new coal-fired generating unit in their modeling analyses, including the risk of future greenhouse gas regulations, the potential for further increases in the Project’s capital cost, and the potential for fuel supply disruptions that could affect plant operating performance and fuel costs. Synapse’s testimony also found that the Big Stone II co-owners had not shown that their demand for electricity cannot be met more cost effectively through energy conservation and load-management measures or through renewable resources. This portion of the project was completed in 2006.