Minnesota environmental study of gas power plant is needed and required by law

PRESS RELEASE: 1/22/2020           CONTACT: Aaron Klemz, Director of Public Engagement

DULUTH, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Minnesota Power asked the Minnesota Supreme Court to review a decision that requires environmental review of a proposed gas power plant.

In December, the Minnesota Court of Appeals unanimously struck down an affiliated interest agreement approved by the PUC. The Appeals Court ruled that the PUC could not approve the agreement requiring Minnesota ratepayers to pay for the construction of the power plant without first completing a study of its environmental and public health impacts.

Evan Mulholland, Staff Attorney at the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, issued the following statement:

Environmental review of a large gas power plant is nothing new, and the decision being appealed only clarified existing law. The court simply decided that the Public Utilities Commission cannot ask Minnesotans to pay for a large gas plant without first knowing what the environmental and public health impact of that plant will be. This is particularly important when much cheaper and cleaner options are left on the table.

The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy will file a response to this petition for review within 14 days. The Minnesota Supreme Court has 60 days to decide whether to review the Minnesota Court of Appeals’ decision.

###