Aaron Klemz, aklemz@mncenter.org
Rebecca Kling, rebecca.kling@sierraclub.org
Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org
Megy Karydes, megy@karydesconsulting.com
DULUTH, MN / SUPERIOR, WI -- The Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) gas plant proposed for construction in Superior, Wisconsin, will receive public scrutiny in the coming weeks. The $700 million project, put forth by Minnesota Power and Dairyland Power, would commit to decades of burning fossil fuel in the Northland.
Later this week, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, the Sierra Club, and the Union of Concerned Scientists will provide oral arguments to the Minnesota Court of Appeals as part of the appeal of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) decision to approve this plant. The groups are concerned about the lack of environmental impact studies relating to a new fossil fuel burning power plant in Superior, and that the MN PUC ignored evidence that clean renewable energy and efficiency measures can meet electricity needs. An Administrative Law Judge overseeing the case previously recommended the proposal be rejected, but the PUC did not follow this recommendation.
Following oral arguments at the Minnesota Court of Appeals, Duluth-based student group Friends of the Climate will hold a press conference in front of Minnesota Power’s Duluth office, opposing the proposed gas plant.
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) is also reviewing the proposed gas plant. The PSC is accepting public comments on the NTEC proposal through October 29, and later this month will host two public hearings and one hearing for parties involved in the appeal. Sierra Club and other groups will raise concerns about the environmental impacts of the proposed plant, especially as the WI PSC decided not to consider the full scope of climate impacts. Others, including the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, also oppose the proposed plant, raising concerns about the impact on local wetlands and the larger climate.
WHAT: Oral Argument in front of MN Court of Appeals
Testimony from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Sierra Club & Union of Concerned Scientists, who appealed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approval of the proposed gas plant.
WHEN: Thursday, October 10th, 10:40 a.m. Oral Argument,
WHERE: Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard., St Paul, MN 55155
WHAT: Friends of the Climate Duluth Press Event
Press event by Friends of the Climate, a Duluth-based group of high school and college students opposed to the proposed gas plant.
WHEN: Thursday, October 10th, 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Lake Superior Plaza at Lake Ave and W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802
WHAT: Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) Hearings
The WI PSC review process will include two public hearings and one hearing for testimony from parties to the docket, all in Superior, WI.
WHEN: Monday, October 28, 6:00 p.m. (Public Hearing)
Tuesday, October 29, 10:00 a.m. (Party Hearing)
Tuesday, October 29, 2:00 p.m. (Public Hearing)
WHERE: Belgian Club 3931 East 2nd Street Superior, Wisconsin
WHAT: Final day for submitting comments to the Wisconsin PSC
WHEN: Tuesday, October 29
WHERE: Online, at the PSC Comment Site
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.