Policy Forum Series: Smith - Natural Gas as Fuel for Electric Generation in the Midwest
1. Natural Gas as a Fuel for
Electric Generation in the
Midwest: The Regional
Context
Policy Forum Series: Natural Gas and
Minnesota’s Energy Future
September 21, 2012
3. Energy Production Mix
January
through
July
Energy
Contribution
by
Fuel
Source
90%
80% 77% 78%
74%
70%
Contribution
to
Total
Energy
Served
65%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
14% 14% 14% 13% 12%
7%
10% 6% 5%
3% 3% 3% 3%
0%
2009 2010 2011 2012
Year
Coal Nuclear Gas Wind
3
6. MISO’s September survey still indicates many EPA
compliance decisions have yet to be made
Coal Resources Affected – 3rd Quarter Survey
Cross State Air Capacity, GW
Pollution Rule 66 19
53
• Vacated by District Court Units
• Minimal impact on MISO coal
retirements 47 35
No
Mercury and Air Toxins Action
Standard 295 Required 242 98
Units Units Units
• Uncertainties remain
• Most retrofits focused on Dry
Sorbent Injection (DSI) and 5
Activated Carbon Injection (ACI) 70
Control Units
• Less capital Required Uneconomic 7
• Less outage 74
/ Replace Units
• Higher production costs
Total Total TBD /
Coal Affected No Response
Sept Survey Results* 66 19 47 35 5 7
GWs
Impacted June Survey Results 66 19 47 35 4 8
March Survey Results 66 18 48 31 5 12
MISO Study (10/2012) 66 9 57 44 13 -
*Sept survey results does not represent all expected respondents. 6
June results used where needed.