Clean Energy
Basin Electric employees Gerald Wolf (AVS) and Ryan Wolf (GPSP) and their four-generation family farming reclaimed land on the Freedom (coal) Mine.
The basic technology of converting coal to electricity has not changed appreciably in 60 years. What has changed is the technology to remove combustion byproducts contained in the emissions. Developing and integrating these control technologies, however, requires significant capital investment. That is why Basin Electric is paying close attention as various proposals to decrease emissions come before the U.S. Congress.
The real story about emissions
Basin Electric believes that conservation and sustainability of natural resources depends on supplying affordable, clean energy to as many people and industries as possible, and exploring new technologies for improving how energy is produced. Beginning in the 1960s, Basin Electric voluntarily began to install pollution controls at its facilities.
According to a 2004 poll from the Foundation for Clean Air Progress, only 29 percent of people polled thought that "America's air quality is better than . . . it was in 1970." The fact is: air quality in the United States has dramatically improved. Basin Electric continues to be 100 percent environmentally compliant.
The following chart prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 2010 show the steady decline of emissions since 1990 to the present day. Aggregate emissions have dropped 41 percent since 1990 while energy consumption rose 36 percent, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose 64 percent. The second chart from 1970 to the present shows a 60 percent decline in emissions.
The pristine sky and air in the photo taken in North Dakota coal country (above) tells the true story. This is good news.
1990 to 2008
1970-2008
Crucial time for coal-based generation
Future remediation efforts in response to more stringent emission control regulations from federal agencies and the U.S. Congress may make compliance economically unfeasible. If Basin Electric and the nation's other coal-based utilities are required to curtail or cease operation, half of the United States' supply of electricity would be in jeopardy, so it is a crucial time for the future of energy in this country. We believe we can bring facts, discernment and balance to this debate.
Basin Electric is committed to producing clean, affordable energy for our members and communities in rural America.
Since 50 percent of our nation's electricity is coal-based, legislative changes regarding these emissions will have a major impact on the utility industry and its millions of consumers. Emissions standards will also significantly affect cooperatives nationwide, because cooperatives rely on coal for 80 percent of their electricity. Basin Electric's generation is 93.7 percent coal-based.
We believe that coal is part of America's energy future. We know we can burn it as cleanly as technology advances have made it feasible to do (Dry Fork Station). We support federal and state legislation that keeps this abundant domestic fuel resource available for producing reliable, efficient baseload power for thousands of homes and businesses across rural America.
Our goal of clean coal power production continues with the installation of emissions controls at Basin Electric's oldest coal-based facility, Leland Olds Station.
Headquarters
1717 East Interstate Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58503-0564 USA
Phone: 701.223.0441
Basin Electric Power Cooperative will provide cost-effective wholesale energy along with products and services that support and unite rural America.
