Gov. Mark Dayton signs Becker power plant bill
Governor Mark Dayton has signed a bill allowing Xcel Energy to build a new natural-gas-fired power plant in Becker to partially replace the two Sherco coal-fired units which are being phased out. Bob Boogren with IBEW Local 160 thanked the governor and lawmakers saying, “For many years we have operated that plant and taken care of it, and it’s… a good opportunity for us to keep some good jobs in Becker where they belong.” The governor says he agreed to an “exception” to the normal review process by the Public Utilities Commission in order to save hundreds of jobs — but warns Republicans he’ll oppose any plan to dismantle the agency. Dayton did say however that he’s open to changes that would speed up the P-U-C’s decision-making.