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CPUC Approves Contract for Biomass Repowering at Coal-fired Facility

LCG, February 5, 2010--The California Public Utilities Commission approved a power purchase agreement between PG&E and Mt. Poso Cogeneration Company, LLC for renewable energy from the Mt. Poso Cogeneration facility, located near Bakersfield, California.


Record Year for New Wind Power Installations in the U.S.

LCG, January 29, 2010--The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced the U.S. wind industry set a new record by installing nearly 10,000 MW of new generating capacity last year. With the additions, the wind turbine generating capacity in the U.S. now totals over 35,000 MW.


Industry News

Big Stone II Coal Project Canceled

LCG, November 4, 2009--MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU) announced Monday that the Big Stone II Project, a proposed coal-fired electric generating unit, and its associated transmission upgrades, will not be built. The proposed unit was sited adjacent to the existing, 450-MW Big Stone facility located near the Minnesota-South Dakota border.

Montana-Dakota Utilities (a subsidiary of MDU) President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We will now look at other supply options that are reliable and cost-beneficial for our customers. We have plans to expand our wind production by 30 megawatts in 2010 and will review other generation options."

The Big Stone II project was estimated to cost about $1.6 billion, excluding transmission upgrades, and the operational date had been delayed to late 2015.

In June 2005, seven utilities announced their plan to develop a 630-MW unit that would be operational by 2011. In 2007, two of the utilities, Great River Energy and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, withdrew from the project, leaving five co-owners: Otter Tail Power Co., Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Heartland Consumers Power District, Missouri River Energy Services and Montana-Dakota Utilities.

On January 22, 2009, the last day the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could act on the permit, the EPA issued a written objection to the South Dakota Department of Natural Resources approval of the permit for the project that created a new hurdle for the project.

In September of this year, Otter Tail Power Company President and CEO stated that the broad economic downturn, coupled with a high level of uncertainty associated with proposed federal climate legislation and existing federal environmental regulation, have resulted in challenging credit and equity markets that make proceeding with Big Stone II at this time untenable for Otter Tail?s customers and shareholders.

On Monday, the remaining partners announced that the plant would not be built.



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