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
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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
 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.
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Even Electric Power Research
Institute Believes It
Why?
• Air rules
• Low natural gas prices
• Energy efficiency/priceresponsive demand
• Uprates to nuclear plants
• More solar
• Potential carbon regulation
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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
Key – Don’t Provide Lifeline for Coal
Need to site new backbone transmission in ways that minimize delivery of
coal power, especially to eastward load centers. Recognize that much largescale transmission planning will seek to maximize use of new lines for all
generation.
= lower power prices
= higher power prices
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PS - Wind Turbine Income Is Good
for Farmers
ELPC study 2010
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But If You Don’t Build It, Will Lose It
Upper Midwest Wind Transmission Development
Initiativ
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