tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8231037340068853572.post-17399288070051160862008-05-13T10:07:00.004-05:002008-05-13T10:14:10.367-05:00I'm already breaking my no blog rule for the day.<br /><br />Minnesota Power announces the purchase of a transmission line and the intention to phase out of one of its coal contracts in favor of 200 megawatts of wind power from the Dakotas. From today's MP's press release:<br /><blockquote>In a major move to accelerate its strategy of reducing carbon emissions and expanding renewable wind energy development, Minnesota Power proposes to purchase a major transmission line from North Dakota, phase out a long-term contract to buy coal-based electricity, and add several hundred megawatts of wind generation.<br /><br />The key element of this strategic project is Minnesota Power’s purchase of a direct current (DC) transmission line that extends from the wind-rich plains of central North Dakota to the Arrowhead Substation in Hermantown, Minn.<br /><br />The proposal calls for the DC line, now owned by Square Butte Electric Cooperative, to be sold to Minnesota Power for approximately $80 million in early 2009. It is now used to transmit electricity generated at the Milton R. Young Generating Station in Center, N.D. 465 miles eastward for purchase by Minnesota Power.<br /><br />Direct current is a more economical way to transmit power over long distances than the standard AC, or alternating current, transmission line. The DC line being purchased by Minnesota Power is a strategic and valuable transmission link between the vast wind resource in North Dakota and electric consumers eager to increase their reliance on renewable energy.<br /><br />"Three decades ago, the DC line was built to move low-cost coal-based electricity from North Dakota to power the growing taconite industry in northeast Minnesota’s Iron Range," said Don Shippar, ALLETE CEO. "Back then, it was described as a way to transport ‘coal by wire.’ Now we will use the line to transmit ‘wind by wire’." </blockquote>Aaron J. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840595156757109496noreply@blogger.com