Information on Nemadji Trail Energy System Heard By Superior Plan Commission

SUPERIOR, Wisc. –The Superior Plan Commission met Wednesday afternoon, and the major item on its agenda was the  Nemadji Trail Energy Center. The commissioners heard from representatives of Minnesota Power and Clean Wisconsin.

Before the meeting got underway, which had a standing-room-only crowd, we talked to representatives of both groups who explained their position on the natural gas energy plant that has been in the planning stage since 2017.

“Since we announced this project seven years ago, the project has received 14 regulatory approvals from independent regulatory bodies, at both the federal and the state levels,”  said Amy Rutledge Director of Corporate Communications at Minnesota Power.” “This facility will be a modern state-of-the-art facility that can easily come online when wind and solar is not available. And then can ramp down when wind and solar is available.”

The group, Clean Wisconsin believes the energy plant is not needed and will impact both the air and ground, much more than the regulatory agencies realized when they made their decisions.

“We are opposed to this project. We’ve been advocating against it for years now,” said Brett Korte, Staff Attorney for Clean Wisconsin.” We think that the applicants in this case would be a lot better  not putting good money after bad and looking into other options that would be better for the city of Superior and Wisconsin in general.”

Once the commission meeting began Mayor Jim Paine made the decision to allow public comment at the meeting, something that he said, is not generally allowed. Following the two presentations nearly two dozen people lined up to voice their opinion.

As planned, there was no vote or decision made at this meeting.

Minnesota Power is planning to hold two neighborhood open houses next Tuesday at the Belgian Club in Superior..  Exact times have not been set, but FOX 21 was told one will be in the morning and the other in the afternoon.