Great River Energy (GRE) in 2011 sought to bring its new coal-burning power plant, Spiritwood, in Jamestown, North Dakota online and import the electricity to Minnesota customers. 

Minnesota’s Next Generation Energy Act allows electricity from new coal, only if CO₂ pollution from the new plant is “offset” by reductions in CO₂ emissions elsewhere. GRE proposed offsets that did not satisfy the requirements of the statute and would not, in fact, offset the new CO₂ it emits by operating Spiritwood. MCEA asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to reject GRE’s proposal. The matter became a contested case and came before the Office of Administrative Hearings.

In June 2011, however, the Minnesota legislature passed a law exempting GRE from offsetting their carbon dioxide emissions.

MCEA Documents

MCEA Comments

Outside Documents

Next Generation Energy Act

Media

Bismark Tribune editorial supporting Spiritwood Station and Legal Director, Kevin Reuther Letter to the Editor on Spiritwood and retiring old coal