Below, we're sharing information from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on the request to amend an air quality permit for the Xcel Energy High Bridge Plant near the West Side. A representative from MPCA will be present at WSCO's September Voices Forum to answer questions. RSVP for the Voices Forum here.
If you'd like to contact MPCA directly: contact Megumi Muramoto-Mathieu at [email protected] or 651-757-2388.
To connect with WSCO's Health and Environmental Justice Organizer, Elizabeth Leonardsmith, email [email protected]
Draft air quality permit for Xcel Energy High Bridge Plant
Why are we notifying you?
The Xcel Energy High Bridge Combined Cycle Plant (155 Randolph Ave, St Paul, MN 55102) has applied to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to amend its existing air quality permit in order update hardware for an existing turbine and duct burner. The facility is located in a designated environmental justice area. This fact sheet provides basic information about the facility and the proposal to amend its air permit.
What is environmental justice?
Environmental justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
The facility is in an area where more than 40% of residents are part of a low-income household and is near an area where 20% of residents are persons of color.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is committed to environmental justice and incorporating its principals into our work. As part of this commitment, the MPCA has identified areas of environmental justice concern across Minnesota. These are areas that have higher numbers of people of color or low income and communities within tribal boundaries. Some of these areas bear disproportionate burdens of pollution, and residents may want to participate in decisions about activities that the MPCA permits there. To this end, the MPCA works to notify these communities of environmental permits for facilities located near them. Usually this is done when new activities are proposed that would require permits, or when existing permits are modified or reissued.
What does this plant do?
Xcel Energy High Bridge Combined Cycle Plant operates an electric generating plant that provides electricity to the surrounding communities. The electric power is generated by combustion turbines.
What are their air emissions?
Like most industrial operations, the facility emits a variety of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from combustion activity. All of these pollutants are regulated under federal and/or state laws and rules.
What are they proposing to do?
This permit action is a required step before Xcel Energy can update hardware for an existing turbine. While the physical changes to the turbine will increase the emissions, emissions will be restricted by the existing emission caps. Therefore, there is no change in allowable emissions by this modification.
Public Participation
Public participation is an important part of MPCA permitting decisions. The MPCA seeks public input through a process of public notice and comment on draft permits. The permit is expected to go on public comment late Fall 2023. Communities may request additional outreach by MPCA staff at any time during permit development. You can view draft permits posted for public comment at www.pca.state.mn.us/public-notices.
More information
If you would like to know more about the permit or would like the MPCA to talk to your community group, contact Megumi Muramoto-Mathieu at [email protected] or 651-757-2388.
To learn more about how the MPCA works with issues of environmental justice, visit pca.state.mn.us/aboutmpca/mpca-and-environmental-justice