Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

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(AP) -  The state Commerce Department and the owners of
a planned coal-fired power plant in South Dakota that will serve
customers in western Minnesota say they have reached an agreement
on environmental issues related to electric transmission.

      The deal resolves concerns over mercury emissions, water use,
renewable energy and other factors involved in the so-called Big
Stone II project, a 630-megawatt power plant planned near the
Minnesota-South Dakota border.

      Earlier this month, two administrative law judges recommended
that state regulators issue permits for the transmission lines that
the plant needs. The power lines still need approval by Minnesota's
Public Utilities Commission.

      The plant is slated to begin operating in 2012.

      Sierra Club representative Christopher Childs calls the
agreement "a tremendous setback for Minnesota and clean air." The
environmental group opposes the plant.

Gallery

Big Stone power plant expansion gets green light

Minnesota wants changes in South Dakota power plant

State officials reject Big Stone transmission lines

The deal resolves concerns over mercury emissions, water use,
renewable energy and other factors involved in the so-called Big
Stone II project, a 630-megawatt power plant planned near the
Minnesota-South Dakota border.


State and utilities agree on Big Stone II environmental issues

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