BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — Despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars on cleaner energy, a company that owns a power plant near Center says that new rules from the EPA will cripple both it and plenty of other similar groups.
As part of the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards rules, coal-fired plants would be required to capture 90 percent of their greenhouse gases by 2032. Last week, North Dakota joined more than 20 other states in suing the EPA to block its new power plant emissions rule. Minnkota Power, a leading industry voice on carbon capture technology, warns the rule will likely result in more blackouts and higher consumer bills.
EPA puts out new, stricter mandates for coal power plants
The government’s plan will focus on carbon capture, but Minnkota CEO Mac McLennan says that won’t be ready to go online for roughly five more years. Meanwhile, Minnkota has already invested over $400 million in emissions control, and is already preparing to take Project Tundra online.
“We just don’t know if this technology is going to work,” National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson said. “It’s unproven, and it’s difficult to make decisions on that in the next two years when you’re going to have to say what you’re doing to moving forward.”
“Today,” explains McLennan, “The EPA is asking for CCS to be put on with very little data associated with how you demonstrate it. Part of the question is if they’ll let guys like us be successful in putting Tundra on so we can demonstrate the capabilities. What can we get captured?”
The EPA is now taking public comment on the matter for 60 days. Attorneys from over 20 states will then plead their case in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals in an attempt to stop the new rule, which could take effect in three years.
