South Dakota and coal

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Introduction

South Dakota had two coal-fired generating stations in 2005, with 481 MW of capacity - representing 15.8% of the state's total electric generating capacity. South Dakota ranks 43rd out of the 50 states in terms of coal-fired energy production.

In 2006, South Dakota's coal-fired power plants produced 4.4 million tons of CO₂, 13,000 tons of sulfur dioxide, and 13,000 tons of nitrogen oxide; power plants were responsible for 32% of the state's total CO₂ emissions. In 2005, South Dakota emitted 17.7 tons of CO₂ per person, slightly less than the U.S. average.

No coal was mined in South Dakota in 2006.

Citizen activism

Coal Ash Waste and Water Contamination

In August 2010 a study released by the Environmental Integrity Project, the Sierra Club and Earthjustice reported that South Dakota, along with 34 states, had significant groundwater contamination from coal ash that was not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The report, in an attempt to pressure the EPA to regulate coal ash, noted that most states do not monitor drinking water contamination levels near waste disposal sites. The report mentioned South Dakota's Big Stone Power Plant as a site that has groundwater contamination due to coal ash waste.

History

While there are sizeable coal reserves in South Dakota, there is no history of coal mining in the state. There has also been very little coal power development in South Dakota; the two proposed coal plants would more than triple the state's coal power generating capacity.

The $1.6 billion Big Stone II electrical power plant, was set to be constructed next to an existing power station near Milbank, S.D. but was abandoned on November 2, 2009. The plant would have supplied approximately 550 megawatts of power to utilities in North Dakota, South Dakota and southern Minnesota. A poor national economy and uncertainty about future federal environmental regulation were said to be the reasons that it was difficult to finance the plant. Environmental and citizen groups celebrated the news of Big Stone II being abandoned.

"This is happening in the context of coal plants around the country being abandoned," said Margaret Levin, state director for the Minnesota North Star chapter of the Sierra Club. "I would certainly attribute this outcome to an increased understanding ... that we have got to switch away from coal and other dirty forms of power."

Proposed coal plants

Active

• NextGen Energy Facility, Selby/Pierre, SD

Cancelled

• Big Stone II, Milbank, SD

Coal power companies

• Black Hills Corporation
  • Headquarters in Rapid City, SD
  • Controls 7 coal-fired generating stations with 249 MW total capacity
  • Active proposals: Wygen Unit 2, Wygen Unit 3
• Basin Electric Power Cooperative
• Otter Tail Power

Existing coal plants

South Dakota had two coal-fired generating stations in 2005, with 481 MW of capacity - representing 15.8% of the state's total electric generating capacity. Here is a list of both of these plants:

Plant Name	County	Owner	Year(s) Built	Capacity	2007 CO2 Emissions	2006 SO2 Emissions	SO2/MW Rank
Big Stone	Grant	Otter Tail Power	1975	456 MW	4,210,000 tons	11,986 tons	122
Ben French	Pennington	Black Hills Corporation	1961	25 MW	207,000 tons	ca. 1,000 tons	N/A

The Big Stone plant alone represents 30.7% of South Dakota's total CO₂ emissions, and 27.5% of the state's total SO₂ emissions.

For a map of existing coal plants in the state, see the bottom of this page.

Coal Ash Waste and Water Contamination

In August 2010 a study released by the Environmental Integrity Project, the Sierra Club and Earthjustice reported that South Dakota, along with 34 states, had significant groundwater contamination from coal ash that is not currently regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The report, in an attempt to pressure the EPA to regulate coal ash, noted that most states do not monitor drinking water contamination levels near waste disposal sites. The report mentioned South Dakota based Big Stone Power Plant as having groundwater contamination due to coal ash waste.

Black Hills Inc. to shutter several coal plants

On August 7, 2012 it was reported that Black Hills Inc. was planning to close two of its older coal plants as well as one coal unit.

Colorado Electric, Black Hills Power subsidiary, stated that they will suspend operations at a coal-fired unit at the Ben French Power Plant in Rapid City, S.D. by August 31, 2012, and retire the plant in March 2014. The company also plans to retire plants near Gillette and Wyoming's Osage Power Plant, in March 2014.

Major coal mines

There are no major coal mines in South Dakota.

Citizen groups

• Beyond Big Stone II
• South Dakota Clean Water Action

Resources

Related SourceWatch articles

• Existing U.S. Coal Mines
• Existing U.S. Coal Plants
• US proposed coal plants (both active and cancelled)
• Coal plants cancelled in 2007
• Coal plants cancelled in 2008
• Profiles of other states (or click on the map)