Why not use natural gas generation in lieu of Big Stone II?
Building baseload natural gas plants in lieu of coal-fired generation is very risky. Natural gas prices are characteristically volatile and are currently at near record-high levels. If the Big Stone II utilities were to substitute natural gas for coal-fired generation, their customers’ monthly electric bill would take on that same high cost and volatility. In an April 28, 2008, white paper, the U.S. Department of Energy warned that abandoning coal-fired generation in favor of natural gas would present a national security risk and send consumers power and natural gas bills skyward.
