Citizen Participation is Critical
Your comments on the Metro Emissions Reduction Project (MERP) are critical to show public support and call on the Public Utilities Commission to approve MERP, the largest coal plant clean up in the history of Minnesota! Send a letter supporting MERP by September 29th.. The Public Utilities Commission will rely on what they hear from citizens to make their decision to support MERP or an alternative "all coal" plan. Some commissioners have expressed doubt that citizens value cleaner air, better health, and reduced global warming. It is critical that citizens explain that they want State officials to support the coal plant clean up. We strongly encourage you to voice your opinion. If you would like more information, do not hesitate to contact us at 612-659-9124 or . Provided below is a brief overview of the clean up, the issues at hand, and the Sierra Club's position.
For more information beyond what is provided below, please see our MERP summary (pdf, 19k) or http://www.xcelenergy.com/XLWEB/CDA/0,2914,1-1-1_4359_3730_3732-877-0_0_0-0,00.html.
What is MERP?
The Metro Emissions Reduction Plan is Xcel Energy's voluntary proposal to clean up three metro area coal plants by converting Minneapolis' Riverside and St.Paul's High Bridge to natural gas and installing best available emission control technology at the Stillwater Area's Allen S. King plant. The pollution reduction proposed is significant:- Mercury, which has led to fish consumption advisories on nearly all Minnesota lakes, would be reduced by 100% at the St.Paul and Minneapolis plants, and by approximately 20% at the Stillwater Area plant. Minnesota coal plants are the single largest contributor of mercury pollution in the state. MERP would reduce about 191 lbs of mercury from the environment annually. It takes only 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury to contaminate the fish in a 20-acre lake.
- Particulate Matter (PM), which has been linked to asthma, heart and lung disease, and premature deaths, would be reduced by 100% at the St. Paul and Minneapolis plants, and by approximately 20% at the Stillwater area plant. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency estimates that the PM pollution reduction in MERP would save approximately $1.2 billion dollars in health costs.
- Sulfur Dioxide, a contributor to acid rain and forming particulate matter (PM), would be reduced by 99-100% at the St.Paul and Minneapolis coal plants; and 91% at the King plant in the Stillwater area.
- Carbon Dioxide, a significant contributor to climate change, would be reduced by 1,644,000 tons/year for the three plants combined.
- Nitrogen Oxide, forms ozone and contributes to the formation of particulate matter (PM) implicated in hundreds of cases of asthma, lung disease and heart attacks in Minnesota, would be reduced by 97-99% at the Minneapolis and St.Paul plants, and 89% at the Stillwater area plant. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issues ozone air alert days recommending vulnerable populations (elderly, children, athletes) to stay indoors and reduce activity to prevent asthma, respiratory and heart difficulties. Due to high levels of ozone, Minnesota is at risk for being identified as a non-attainment zone by the U.S. EPA. This identification causes strict pollution reduction standards and carries high economic costs.
- In addition to the immediate pollution reduction from the three metro coal plants, the Department of Commerce has determined that converting from coal to natural gas would support wind development.
The MERP proposal is a result of legislation passed by the state of
Minnesota which encourages utilities (like Xcel Energy) to reduce
pollution by allowing them to recover costs for the clean up from the
rate base. It has been estimated that MERP would cost the average*
household $3.00 to $4.50 per month over seven years.
*This is based on the assumption that the average house uses 700KWh per month.
Why hasn't MERP been approved?
MERP is pending approval by the Public Utilities Commission. The PUC is charged with ensuring that the costs of the clean up are not unreasonable. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced in December 2002 that Xcel's MERP met the requirements of the law and provided significant pollution reductions (the largest in the history of the state!) The MPCA also found that the health benefits of the clean up approximated and possibly outweighed the costs of MERP. In addition, the Public Utilities Commission has considered the Alternative All Coal Plan, which does very little to eliminate mercury pollution, maintains our current 75% dependence on coal as an energy source, and does not provide the pollution reduction and economic benefits of MERP. A decision may come as early as late Fall.
What is the Sierra Club's position?
- Approve Xcel's proposal to convert the High Bridge and Riverside coal plants to natural gas on as efficient a schedule as is practical.
- Approve Xcel's proposal to install best available pollution control technology at the Allen S. King coal plant.
- Require Xcel to phase out mercury emissions from the King plant on a prompt, enforceable schedule.
- Make sure repowering is done as efficiently as possible and the costs of the project are not unfairly imposed on residential consumers.
- Hold public hearings accessible to community members to allow for public participation and input in the process.
- Sierra Club Comments on MERP (pdf, 73k)
- Sierra Club Reply Comments on MERP (pdf, 38k)
Send comments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
Written comments on the Metro Emissions Reduction Plan can be sent to:Burl W. Haar
Executive Secretary
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place East, Suite 350
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Re: Docket No: E-002/M-2-633
The deadline for comments is Monday, September 29th.
Interested in helping organize? Flyer your neighborhood, email your friends, etc. CLICK HERE
Please contact Cesia Kearns, Air Toxics Organizer, if you want more information: 612-659-9124 or .