St. Paul, MN - Clean Water Action and allies applaud the decision of two Administrative Law Judges today. His ruling stated that the owners failed to demonstrate need for Big Stone II - the coal power plant expansion in neighboring South Dakota. This reaffirms the growing realization that continued reliance on coal is unnecessary and not worth the health, environmental and economic impacts. The ruling comes on the heels of numerous other failed coal power plant projects across the the country.

The Minnesota Public Utility Commission, appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty, will next consider the recommendation of Judges Mihalchick and Neilson to deny the Certificate of Need for the proposed transmission lines in Western Minnesota. The transmission lines would bring electricity generated at Big Stone II to customers served by owners located in Minnesota. Clean Water Action calls on the Minnesota PUC to heed the rulings and deny the permit. "Big Stone II would be a step backwards at a time when we need to move forward with a more sustainable and affordable energy system," commented Mary Jo Stueve, South Dakota Program Coordinator for Clean Water Action. "The time of our over reliance on coal is coming to an end and the sooner we realize the folly of projects like Big Stone II the better."

Minnesota took strong steps in 2007 to encourage use of renewable energy with the passage of a Renewable Electricity Standard requiring that over 20% of electricity used in the state come from renewable sources. This, coupled with strong conservation and efficiency measures, set the stage for a transition to a more sane energy system - one that does not include the Big Stone II coal power plant.

Clean Water Action and allies fought Big Stone II as an unnecessary and damaging expansion. Of particular concern to Clean Water Action, the plant would have harmful impacts on Big Stone Lake - the headwaters of the Minnesota River. The decision is also a victory for those living near the expansion who have already shouldered the bulk of negative health and environmental risks associated with Big Stone Plant Unit I.