Becker natural gas plant bill passes House

Becker’s coal-plant loss would be the city’s natural gas plant gain under a bill passed by the House 77-51 Thursday.

HF113, sponsored by Rep. Jim Newberger (R-Becker), would authorize Xcel Energy to build a plant that generates electricity by burning natural gas in near the central Minnesota community, at the site of the current Sherco coal-fired plants.

Rep. Jim Newberger

Last year the commission gave Xcel the green light to close two of its three coal-fired plants there, in 2023 and 2026.

The bill exempts Xcel from a requirement that it gets a certificate of need from the Public Utilities Commission. The commission would still need to approve Xcel’s costs to build and run the plant under HF113, but the utility could file for higher rates if its costs run below forecasts.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Andrew Mathews (R-Milaca) is the sponsor. Gov. Mark Dayton announced earlier Thursday afternoon that he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

Newberger said he would have preferred a new coal plant, but that it isn’t an option “in this current political climate.”

To Sherco workers, Newberger said, “Your jobs and your families matter to us.”

In a statement, Dayton said, “The critical importance of this project for Becker, the surrounding area, and our entire state, requires certainty that the protracted PUC review process cannot provide.”

Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Minneapolis) called the bill “corporate welfare.”

Newberger countered, “This is not a blank check to Xcel Energy.”