We don’t need six new natural gas plants
It’s cool that Xcel is shutting down its coal-burning power plant in Becker. And that it’s found a work-around to get legitimate renewable energy onto the grid faster. Something that’s not cool is this.
Xcel Energy’s latest long-range plan for meeting electricity demand in Minnesota includes six new natural gas peaker plants that critics warn could be obsolete before customers are done paying for them.
Comments filed last month by clean energy advocates and the state attorney general’s office push back on the utility’s plan to build a fleet of small fossil fuel plants as it otherwise ramps up clean energy investments. The facilities would operate sparingly, just a few hours at a time on days when the grid is strained and wind, solar and other clean power can’t keep up with demand.
More economical options exist, though, according to a coalition of clean energy groups that hired experts to model alternatives. The study commissioned by the groups concluded Xcel could save ratepayers as much as $3.5 billion by opting for a single new gas plant, and relying more on existing plants, energy storage, efficiency and demand response, and buying surplus power on the regional power grid.
(Energy News Network)
Natural gas is not a bridge fuel. Xcel needs to listen up, here, and change its approach.
On a related note, this is not cool, either. And Lt. Gov. Flanagan, who I admire and look forward to soon seeing in the top job, needs to get her head together on this.
Minnesota is expanding its production of sustainable aviation fuel, as airlines look for lower-emission alternatives to fossil fuels.
In a gathering at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (Sept.10), state officials and leaders of several companies across Minnesota said they’re opening multiple production facilities for sustainable aviation fuels, or SAF. The fuel is derived from crops, waste and other biomass, and it’s a key part of airlines’ plans to reduce carbon emissions.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said this will be a boost to the environment — and the economy.
“Minnesota is uniquely positioned in developing this industry, from our diverse and abundant feedstocks to low carbon processing potential, and the best airport in the country,” Flanagan said.
(MPR)
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