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Alliant Energy's proposed coal-fired power plant:
the worst technology available

A recent story in the Wisconsin State Journal (Global warming concerns nix coal-fired power plants 10/24/07) called attention to the Kansas coal-fired power plant whose permit was denied because of global warming concerns.  In the same story, however, Alliant Energy officials sidestepped the fact that their proposed Cassville power plant – if permitted and built – would emit at least 25% more global warming pollution per megawatt of electricity than the one just scrapped in Kansas. 

Instead, Alliant officials gave misleading statements about the capability of the proposed Cassville plant to burn biomass, stating that the “new plant will allow a variety of fuel sources to be used,” and that Alliant is “committed to” burning renewable resources for the 10 percent of the plant’s fuel.  The facts clearly do not support their statements: 

If Alliant were truly ‘committed’ to using biomass, they would propose a plant that burns 100% biomass like the one planned for Sanvanna, IL, just 100 miles south of Cassville – and in doing so eliminate the need to expand rail and barge coal-handling facilities that will destroy rare wetlands and impact endangered species.

When it comes to global warming emissions, the reality is that Alliant has selected the worst technology available for coal-fired power plants.    The boiler design chosen by Alliant for the proposed Cassville plant would emit large amounts of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 298 times more potent than carbon dioxide. And even if Alliant requested that state regulators change their construction and air permit to allow burning 10% biomass, the proposed plant would still have higher greenhouse gas emissions than other conventional power plants in Wisconsin that burn 100% coal. 

The officials at Alliant are misleading the citizens of Wisconsin:  in order to build their dirty coal-fired power plant, they disingenuously dangle the carrot of biomass in front of state regulators and the people of Wisconsin who are hungry for a clean energy future. 

Around the country, proposed coal-fired power plants are being cancelled or scaled back due to global warming concerns.  Kansas took the right step in denying the permit for the proposed plant there.  Wisconsin should follow suit and deny the permit for Alliant’s proposed Cassville coal plant.  And Alliant needs to come up with a better plan for providing electricity that meets the governor’s goal of reducing global warming pollution and increasing renewable energy in the state.

Mark Redsten
Executive Director,
Clean Wisconsin