Frequently Asked Questions
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Dairyland Power Cooperative is a 50% owner, Basin Electric is a 30% owner and Minnesota Power is a 20% owner. Having multiple utility partners will not impact how the facility will be operated. This ownership structure allows each company to gain access to a larger facility that provides economies of scale and efficiencies to serve their customers and members. Minnesota Power is acting as the project's local construction and operating agent.
The proposed site was selected after an extensive evaluation of potential sites across the Upper Midwest. It has been determined (and affirmed through regulatory processes) that, as an industrial site with access to existing infrastructure, the Superior location is the best site for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center.
Yes. Minnesota Power, Dairyland and Basin Electric are all committed to utilizing union labor in the construction of this plant, and that is exemplified by the project's Letter of Intent to execute a Project Labor Agreement with the Northwest Wisconsin Building Trades.
Yes. Because Superior Water Light & Power purchases its power from Minnesota Power on a wholesale basis, Superior residents will benefit from the reliable electricity produced by the facility as well as benefit from a resource that will help safeguard the reliability of the regional electric grid. Additionally, the community will benefit from significant annual tax revenue and family-sustaining jobs.
The facility is an important resource to ensure the reliability of the regional electric grid. It will be called upon by the regional grid operator when renewable resources like wind and solar, which are weather dependent, are not available. Depending on weather, resources and demand for electricity, the facility is anticipated to run about 40% of the time.
Minnesota Power has designed the facility to accommodate up to 30% hydrogen.
The natural gas burned in the power plant will be supplied on an as-needed basis via a pipe-in the same way natural gas is provided to most homes. There will be no gas storage tanks onsite. The pipeline that will supply the Nemadji Trail Energy Center will be inspected as required by state and federal regulations, similar to other natural gas pipelines on the SWL&P gas system. There is no natural gas flaring associated with this plant's operation.
No. While diesel is listed in the permit applications as a fuel for backup generators in case of power loss, there will not be any infrastructure in place at the facility to burn it. There are currently no plans to use diesel fuel as a backup fuel source for generating electricity.
As the wholesale provider of electricity for SWL&P, Minnesota Power is regulated by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) and undergoes an extensive resource planning process to identify energy needs and determine the most affordable way to meet those needs. Through an extensive regulatory process, the Nemadji Trail Energy Center was deemed to be the least-cost way to meet energy needs while bringing more renewable energy onto the grid. There will be no direct price impact for SWL&P related to the Nemadji Trail Energy Center - it will be part of SWL&P's wholesale electricity supply and SWL&P rates continue to be regulated by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW).
The proposed project will be in an industrial area of Superior. No impacts to property values are anticipated.
Safety is a shared value among the utilities and each company places the highest priority on the safety of its employees, customers and communities. The facility will follow all state and federal safety requirements. It will be designed in compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommendations.
Minnesota Power coordinates with emergency response teams in all the communities where we own thermal generation facilities. Our employees regularly drill for emergencies, and we have first responders on staff. We plan to participate in the Superior area's coordinated emergency response team.
The Nemadji Trail Energy Center partners did a comprehensive site selection process across the upper Midwest and chose this specific site due to the industrial setting, its location near Minnesota Power's and Dairyland's customers, and its proximity to infrastructure like transmission lines and natural gas pipelines. Minnesota Power intends to improve the site to ensure stability and climate resilience through the construction of a sheet pile wall that will provide a stable working surface, serve as erosion control, and minimize wetland disturbance.
We are sensitive to the many recreational activities along the Nemadji River and will incorporate a natural buffer to minimize visual impacts.
Like the City of Superior and the State of Wisconsin, we recognize the historic significance of the St. Francis Cemetery, and we are committed to being a good neighbor. We have conducted cultural and archeological surveys on our property and tribal monitors will be welcome during the Nemadji Trail Energy Center construction process. The closest proximity to the St. Francis cemetery is approximately 250 feet. The closest proximity to the Nemadji river is more than 150 feet. Buffers will be in place to minimize visual impacts.
The project has modeled noise at the proposed site and levels are expected to be below the EPA guidelines for noise levels at the nearest residential properties. Noise levels from the facility in the adjacent neighborhood are expected to be comparable to a dishwasher in the next room or light rain.
The project will comply with the city's wastewater treatment plant requirements. All wastewater will be discharged to the city's treatment facility to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. The Nemadji Trail Energy Center project has been in discussions with the city, and they have the capacity to accept the effluent.
The facility will manage its own stormwater and will have permanent stormwater storage and management incorporated into the facility design.
The facility will meet all environmental permitting requirements for air quality. The project has obtained a Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permit (Air Permit) from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to ensure the project does not significantly impact air quality.
The Nemadji Trail Energy Center provides dependable generation and ensures reliable service when renewable resources like wind and solar are not available. The Nemadji Trail Energy Center is a natural gas power plant that emits about 60% less carbon, 100% less mercury and 97% less other emissions than coal. It provides an important role in electric grid stability and can come online quickly when renewable resources are unavailable, and back down when they are available.
Documents and Updates
View documents like the Environmental Assessment and project fact sheet.
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