44.4~ LVLVV 01 mBrauea ana projecteci wlna energy capaaty2ana no n e w . . F a projects p1annea.l south Vcota sl~ould harness its abkdan t wirid resources, rather ftap!&~iest&g money & i t new ~oal.-b&nhg power pl&xr:.

7 : .. . . ._., .... 8

Soutlz Dalcota IZLX iicredale potential to generate relzewnble wind - inzproving our econolny and ewironnz'ent.

Benefits of switching from coal to wild include:

reduced air and water pollution and toxic wastes,

health benefits from Jess air pollution - 54 few,er: deaths, 1290fewer ;%... , ,gsth.q~ - . attacks ..". and oygr 7000,fe.wer / ,. _ lost .: work days due to various illnesses caused by cod $dlliion, 8. ' ' ' : # . . . . , ,

improved electricity reliability, thanks to a diversified power portfolio, economic development and job growth through wind power "casl~ crops" for Iandowners and clean energy exports, increased business for wind turbine manufacturers and new skilled jobs in installation and maintenance of wind turbines.

Clean Water Action's Position The Big Stone area is not the right place for a new coal plant. Altl~ougl~ Big Stone I1 would be across the border in South Dakota, air pollution knows no boundaries. Airborne toxins would affect Big Stone Lake and Minnesota's Big Stone State Park Known for fishing, recreation, and camping Big Stone Lake is already urider fish consumption advisories for mercury.

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Before SOUHI-~akoia builds another polluting coal plant, the public health and economic development benefits of renewable energy options must be considered. Since coal plants can operate for at least 40 years, every time a new one is built we commit to dirty &ergy for generations to come. For the future health and economic well-being of t l~e region, we sl~ould use clean, iru~ovative renewable energy options, not polluting coal teclmology developed long ago.

1 Energy informlion ~sso$libn, "Stale Electricity Proriles 2002,': ummrcio.do~.~onlcn~a//cI~cIri~iIy/~I~ro~I~iIso~~li~~dokoln,pd~ 1 Abt Associala, "Dealh, % e a s e and Dirty Power: Morlaiily and Health,Damage Due lo Air Poilullon from Power Plank," Belhesda, MD, 2WO. 1 US EPA, "National Air Quality and Embsions Trends Report, 1999." Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, EPA 454/R-01-004,2001.

Abl Assodales, 2000. 3 Minnesota Deparlment of,Commerce, "2001 Energy Planning Report," Appendix A: Dealing Wltli Environmenlal Impacts or EleclricCenention. 2001. 6 Union of Concerned Sei$ntkts, "Plugging in Renewable Energy," 2003. r ~ r u ~ u r , r c r ; r ~ ~ ~ . o r g l d o c s ~ l r c n l s / P I ~ g g i ~ ~ ~ ~ l ~ ~ ~ R ~ n c ~ ~ ~ c ~ l c ~ E n c r ~ y . p t ~ 7 Amrrican Wind Energy .Assodalion. "Wind Pro)cd Dalabaae-South Dakota," ~1run1~.~ulcn.orglprcjc~tsl5o11tll~dnln.~ll!1ll

Abl Assodata, "Power"Plant Emissions: Psrticuiale Matter-Related Heallh Damages and Ihe Benerilsof Allernallve Emission Reducllon ScenarioZ" June2004.