PUC pulls plug on coal gasification plant

Excelsior Energy project
An artist's rendition of the proposed Excelsior Energy coal gasification plant.
Image courtesy Excelsior Energy

The Public Utilities Commission has pulled the plug on a proposed Iron Range coal gasification power plant.

The PUC voted unanimously Thursday to close the docket on Excelsior Energy's bid to force Xcel Energy to buy electric power from the proposed Iron Range power plant.

Tom Micheletti
Tom Micheletti is co-president and CEO of Excelsior Energy, the company behind the Mesaba Energy Project.
MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher

Excelsior had hoped to build a coal gasification power plant, capable of capturing a portion of the plant's carbon output.

The PUC wasn't willing to accept the terms offered Xcel, including price. But state law could force an agreement if Excelsior can come up with a better deal.

Excelsior Energy's Tom Micheletti says his company will appeal the PUC's decision.

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