A Wisconsin judge has determined that state regulators acted appropriately in granting a construction permit for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center, a proposed $700 million combined-cycle natural gas energy plant that has drawn opposition from environmental groups, despite proponents’ assertions that the facility will help accelerate a transition to clean energy.
The 625MW plant, to be located in an industrial area of Superior, Wis., is being developed jointly by electric utilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. According to public information, Nemadji Trail’s use of natural gas will allow the utilities to increase their renewable energy resources and phase out coal-fired power plants.