Less than three days after the Bush Administration left office, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has overturned the State of South Dakota's approval of the massive BigStone II coal-fired power plant. The EPA's decision comes after the state failed to require state-of-the-art pollution controls for the coal plant that would address concerns about harmful soot, smog and global warming pollution.

EPA decision on Big Stone II, part 1 (pdf, 2.12 MB)

by Greg Rislov, Commission Advisor to the SD Public Utilities Commission, SDEIA Board Educational Meeting June 9, 2006 presentation.

Get the complete presentation (pdf, 1.1MB)

What are the sources of mercury pollution in the region?

1. Energy: coal-burning power plants
2. Taconite processing (MN only)
3. Purposeful use:
   • Municipal solid waste combustion
   • Volatilization of disposed products
   • Smelters that recycle cars, appliances

Mercury pollution from coal plants

Coal plants are the largest source of mercury pollution in Minnesota and South Dakota.