Jan. 31, 2007: State Officials Reject Big Stone Transmission Lines

Officials at the Minnesota Department of Commerce are recommending against a major transmission line project in the western part of the state unless conditions are met.

State Officials Reject Big Stone Transmission Lines
Minnesota Public Radio
By Mark Steil
Jan. 31, 2007
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/01/31/bigstone/

St. Paul, Minn. — The transmission lines would carry electricity from the proposed Big Stone II coal-fired power plant in eastern South Dakota. The conditions include proposals that the power plant operators reduce pollution, develop more renewable energy and work to conserve electricity in their system.

Commerce Department Deputy Commissioner Ed Garvey says the recommendation is based on Gov. Tim Pawlenty's call to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

"We do believe that the carbon issues need to be addressed," says Garvey. "That's a very important issue to the governor, to the state of Minnesota and to future generations."