Dairyland Power Cooperative proposes to construct the Nemadji Trail Energy Center project on approximately 26 acres in Douglas County, Wisconsin. The proposed project will include a switching station and approximately 4 miles of transmission line. This is a controversial issue locally as we have people who oppose and people who are for the building of this project. The two main views I have seen discussed about this topic is “People in support of it are in support because of the potential in job growth / growth in the local economy.” The people that are oppose are opposed for multiple issues stemming from “Environmental impact, and future potential impact on their local utility bills.” See Dairyland South Shore Energy LLC is a subsidiary of ALLETE who owns Minnesota power and Superior Water Light and Power. People are up in arms over the monopoly and the price increases from SWLP every two years that gets approved from Milwaukee WI. I did some digging and was sent over all the articles of paperwork that are suppose to back up SWLP’s claims and reasons they need increased funds from the community. They purchased a new fleet of vehicles and went away from leasing. They have 12+ Infrastructure projects in the works to help their productivity and maximize profits and several other things that were kind of hard for a normal person to grasp the nature and reasons behind. They however blacked out all executives pay which was very interesting. We have some members on our district council that are also concerned about this. So yes this is good for the economy and yes this creates jobs. But does it support the monopoly system that has currently got its foot on our neck? “My utility bill went over the cost of my mortgage more than once last winter” I’m standing on shaky ground with it all because I got people in both camps but it’s not up to me it’s up to you guys. From the looks of it they are having an open house to discuss the topic in November of this year.
- Open House, no formal presentation
- Belgian Club
- 3931 E 2nd St, Superior, WI 54880
- Nemadji Trail Energy Center Open House
- Monday, November 12 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Belgian Club, Superior, WI
Read more details about the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center directly from their website below and tell us how you feel!
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Development
Dairyland Power Cooperative: Notice of Revised Supplemental Environmental Assessment AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA
ACTION: Notice of Revised Supplemental Environmental Assessment
SUMMARY: Notice is given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), as required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), is issuing a revised supplemental environmental assessment (RSEA) in connection with possible impacts related to the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) Project in Douglas County, Wisconsin. The proposal is for the construction of a one-on-one combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) generation plant with a capacity of approximately 625 megawatts with an in-service date in 2027 in the City of Superior, Wisconsin. The Project would be owned by Dairyland, South Shore Energy, LLC (SSE), a subsidiary of ALLETE, Inc., and Nemadji River Generation, LLC, a subsidiary of Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric) (together the “Owners”). The project would also include the construction of approximately 4 miles of 345-kV transmission line from the generation plant to a new switching station in Parkland, Wisconsin. The switching station would be built by American Transmission Company. Dairyland will be seeking financing from RUS for its portion of the project development.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Project includes a fired output of approximately 625 megawatt 1×1 CCGT electric generating unit consisting of one H-Class gas turbine generator, one heat recovery steam generator with duct firing, and one steam turbine generator. NTEC will burn natural gas with the capability to be retrofitted to use fuel oil as a backup fuel. NTEC will be between approximately 26 acres to 75 acres, depending on the site selected for the Project. The Project will be cooled using dry cooling by finned heat exchangers. The proposed transmission line would require a 130-foot right of way and would extend from the plant generally southeast along existing utility infrastructure to connect to a new switching station.
Consistent with 7 CFR §1970.3(b)(iv)(C), Dairyland prepared environmental documentation that described the Project in detail and discussed its anticipated environmental impacts. RUS concurred with its scope and content. In accordance with 7 CFR § 1970.102(6), RUS adopted the report and issued it as the agency’s Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Project (NTECEA). In accordance with NEPA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the CEQ Regulations (40 CFR 1500–1508), and RD’s Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1970), RUS determined that the environmental effects of the proposed Project had been adequately addressed and that no significant impacts to the quality of the human environment would result from construction and operation of the proposed Project. A FONSI was published in June 2021 which concluded RUS’ environmental review process in accordance with NEPA and RD’s Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1970). Subsequently, RUS prepared a Supplement EA (SEA) to include an analysis of GHG emissions, climate change, and tribal environmental justice. The SEA was published in June 2022. Following publication of the SEA, RUS revised the SEA (RSEA) in response to comments received.
Further, at the time of the SEA publication, the document was prepared following the CEQ Final Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Effects of Climate Change in National Environmental Policy Act Reviews (August 2016). In January 2023 CEQ issued revised interim guidance with the messaging that the guidance was effective immediately. As such, and consistent with discussions with EPA during this NEPA process, this RSEA
specifically to consider the National Environmental Policy Act Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change (CEQ 2023; referred to herein as the 2023 Interim CEQ GHG Guidance).
RUS has conducted an independent evaluation of the environmental assessment and believes that it accurately assesses the impacts of the proposed project. No significant impacts are expected as a result of the construction of the project.
RUS will accept questions and comments on the RSEA for 30 days from the date of initial publication of this notice. All comments must be provided electronically. Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at: NTEC.RSEA@usda.gov
Copies of the RSEA and supporting documentation will be available for public review at the following websites: Rural Utilities Service at https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/environmental- studies/assessment/nemadji-trail-energy-center-wisconsin, the Dairyland Power Cooperative website at https://www.dairylandpower.com/NTEC/EA, and the Project website athttps://nemadjitrailenergycenter.com/project-documents/, as well as at the following libraries:
- Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI 54880 (715-394-8860)
- La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main Street, La Crosse, WI 54601 (608-789-7100)
- Murphy Library Resource Center, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, 1631 Pine Street, LaCrosse, WI 54601 (608-785-8505)Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental review procedures as prescribed by 7 CFR Part 1970, Environmental Policies and Procedures.Dated: July 28, 2023
- APPENDIX H – PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MATERIALS
- To meet the region’s growing electricity needs and demand for clean energy, Minnesota Power and Dairyland Power Cooperative are working together to incorporate the flexibility of natural gas to ensure power 24/7 year-round.
- This modern, efficient, flexible resource will support the growth of renewable energy as both companies transition to a clean energy future.
- NemadjiTrailEnergyCenter.com
- Open House Details
- Join us at an open house meeting for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center. Residents will have the opportunity to ask the project team questions and learn more about what to expect during the process.
- Monday, November 12
- 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Open House, no formal presentation
- Belgian Club
- 3931 E 2nd St, Superior, WI 54880
- Nemadji Trail Energy Center Open House
- Monday, November 12 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Belgian Club, Superior, WI
- Nemadji Trail Energy Center Project <info@nemadjitrailenergycenter.com>
- Join us at the Nemadji Trail Energy Center Open House Meeting
- 3931 E 2nd Street, Superior, WI 54880
- To meet the region’s growing electricity needs and demand for clean energy, Minnesota Power and Dairyland Power Cooperative are working together to incorporate the flexibility of natural gas to ensure power 24/7 year-round.
- This modern, efficient, flexible resource will support the growth of renewable energy as both companies transition to a clean energy future.
- A SUPERIOR LOCATION
- The Nemadji Trail Energy Center will be located in a shovel-ready, industrial area of Superior, Wisconsin, near existing electrical and natural gas infrastructure.
- The facility will also support economic development in Northwest Wisconsin.
