Minnesota Power plans natural gas plant in Superior

Minnesota Power is partnering with another utility to build a $700 million natural gas power plant in Superior as part of a suite of renewable energy proposals that include new wind and solar generation.

“It’s really about giving customers affordable, reliable, less carbon-intensive energy,” Julie Pierce, Minnesota Power vice president of strategy and planning, told the News Tribune this week. “What we’re doing with this is bringing in flexible generation … to back us up.”

Dubbed the Nemadji Trail Energy Center, Minnesota Power will split the cost and ownership of the natural gas plant with Dairyland Power Cooperative. The 550-megawatt plant, to be located near the Calumet refinery, will employ up to 25 people long-term and require a peak of 260 construction workers while it is built.

“We scanned the entire Midwest — the Superior site is shovel-ready, with access to gas and transmission lines,” Minnesota Power spokeswoman Amy Rutledge said. “At the highest level, this is the next step for moving from primarily coal to more than 40 percent renewables.”

Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/energy/4279704-minnesota-power-plans-natural-gas-plant-superior