| For Immediate Release: April 24, 2008 |
Contact: NASA Scientist to Governor: Oppose Controversial Big Stone II Coal Plant The state of Minnesota has jurisdiction over the transmission lines from the proposed plant to be located in Milbank, South Dakota. Most of the power would be sold to Minnesota ratepayers. The decision to allow the lines rests with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. “You have been a leader in recognizing the reality of climate change,” Hansen writes to Minnesota’s Governor, “Minnesota has the potential to be a national leader in promoting development in areas that provide good jobs via technologies and practices that help ensure clean air and water while mitigating global warming.” Hansen has family in Minnesota, and, writing in an unofficial capacity, he argues that Minnesota cannot escape global warming unscathed and that the economic repercussions will have no borders. Hansen’s research shows global temperatures have already risen by two degrees and a global tipping point will be reached by 2016 if levels of greenhouse gases such as methane and CO2 are not reduced. “We are going to produce a completely different planet,” Hansen said of the consequences of current actions. He said that, although federal legislation is being considered to “cap and trade” carbon credits, building a new, non-carbon-capturing coal plant would result in a “cap and bulldoze” policy to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals. Hansen has said that the planet’s threshold of CO2 in the atmosphere is 350ppm. In a teleconference with reporters, Hansen said of the current level of global warming pollution, “It’s not rocket science. We have already passed the dangerous level of CO2,” and he adds that without reductions, “we will have many highly undesirable impacts.” He said that it is possible to get back to 350ppm. A full audio version of the press teleconference can be heard at http://www.reamp.org/node/3603. RE-AMP is a seven-state network of nonprofits and foundations, including Fresh Energy, striving for Midwest leadership in 21st century clean energy by reducing electricity sector global warming pollutants 80 percent by 2030. - end- Fresh Energy is a nonprofit organization leading the transition to a clean energy system-- one that supports the health of our economies, our people, and our environment while moving us toward energy independence. www.fresh-energy.org |