Xcel Energy Metro Emissions Reduction Project

League leadership and participation contributed to the approval of Xcel Energy's MERP proposal by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in December 2003. MERP is a voluntary proposal by Xcel Energy to convert two Minnesota coal plants to natural gas (the High Bridge and Riverside plants) and to install modern pollution control equipment on a third coal plant (the King plant). The League has been working since 2001 to gain approval of this project. Because of a law passed with the help of the League, electric utilities can pass costs for voluntary emissions reductions projects at coal plants in the state along to customers.

Xcel Energy estimates the projects will result in more than a 90% reduction in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from the three facilities. The conversion of the two coal plants will also result in a 100% elimination of mercury emissions from those plants. An additional 20% reduction in mercury emissions from the third plant will be realized with the installation of state-of-the-art pollution control equipment.

For more information about this project, read the following:

• Xcel Energy's MERP proposal fact sheet and filing documents
• League summary of MERP proposal
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency review of the project, December 2002
• Initial Comments of the Izaak Walton League of America, submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, February 2003.
• Reply Comments of the Izaak Walton League of America, submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, May 2003.
• League background information for September 2003 Public Hearing
• Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Order Approving the Metro Emissions Reduction Project Proposal, March 2004.

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