protecting the midwest’s environment and natural heritage 1 expanding and modernizing the...

Protecting the Midwest’s Environment and Natural Heritage 1

Expanding and Modernizing the Electrical Grid:

Essential Infrastructure for the Midwest’s Clean Energy Future

John N. Moore

Senior Attorney

Environmental Law and Policy Center

Chicago Des Moines Sioux Falls Jamestown (ND)

Minneapolis Madison Columbus Washington

Protecting the Midwest’s Environment and Natural Heritage

The Situation

Global climate change hasn’t gone away, even if Washington has.

Coal is on the way out. Most renewable energy is either carbon free or low

carbon. The Midwest still can be the “Saudi Arabia” of wind

power, IF we can free it in a responsible way. Time to align federal policies with reality.

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Coal Ramping Down, Wind/Renewables Up

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Coal retirements expected to be 30 to 120 gigawatts (GW) by 2040.

Based on all the EPA rules, low demand, and low natural gas prices.

High range depends on real and perceived impact of carbon regulation.


Even Electric Power Research Institute Believes It

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Why?

•Air rules•Low natural gas prices•Energy efficiency/price-responsive demand•Uprates to nuclear plants•More solar•Potential carbon regulation


Midwest Wind Growth Even More Pronounced

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Federal Policy Not Aligned with Reality

Source: Environmental Law Institute

Protecting the Midwest’s Environment and Natural Heritage 7

Need to site new backbone transmission in ways that minimize delivery of coal power, especially to eastward load centers. Recognize that much large-scale transmission planning will seek to maximize use of new lines for all generation.

= lower power prices

= higher power prices

Key – Don’t Provide Lifeline for Coal


PS - Wind Turbine Income Is Good for Farmers

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ELPC study 2010


But If You Don’t Build It, Will Lose It

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Upper Midwest Wind Transmission Development Initiativ

protecting the midwest’s environment and natural heritage 1 expanding and modernizing the...

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