Power plant clashes with aquifer

Minnesota groundwater permit threshold debated as DNR, lawmakers, and L.S. Power weigh aquifer protections, water management, and permits tied to the Mt. Simon/Hinckley and Jordan aquifers, with 100 million gallons as a potential cutoff.

A bill to protect the 1,000-year-old water of the Mt. Simon/Hinckley aquifer — a layer of underground water extending from Duluth across eastern Minnesota — has been temporarily set aside.

Sen. Rick Olseen, DFL-Harris, is carrying the legislation, an offshoot of the debate surrounding the L.S. Power gas-fired electric generating power plant proposal for Lent Township in Chisago County, he explained.

“Boy oh boy, you start talking about their water — it gets passionate very quickly,” said Olseen of area residents nearby.

The power plant has been an intense issue, Olseen explained.

Although the plant, by agreement, will not use groundwater — actually purchase “grey” wastewater for usage — some people remain skeptical, Olseen explained.

In his bill, Olseen attempted to extend protections afforded groundwater in the seven-county metro area across the Mt. Simon/Hinckley aquifer.

That would limit new water use permits to municipalities.

But Department of Natural Resources (DNR) water management officials found the bill too restrictive.

Appearing before the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, where Xcel's nuclear storage bid also drew attention recently, DNR Division of Waters Director Kent Lokkesmoe suggested a 100-million gallon of a year permit threshold be incorporated into the bill.

That is, water permits would be restricted for uses of more than 100 million gallons of water a year.

In giving examples, Lokkesmoe noted that an ethanol plant uses about 400 million gallons of water a year, while an agricultural irrigation system may use about 40 million gallons.

Within much of the metro the Jordan aquifer, which lies atop of the Mt. Simon/Hinckley, is the aquifer of choice as it’s the easiest to reach, Lokkesmoe explained.

But in other areas, the Mt. Simon/Hinckley aquifer is the first aquifer well drillers hit.

There are some 264 water permits across the state for the Mt. Simon/Hinckley aquifer, according to the DNR.

The City of Fridley draws some 2.4 billion gallons of water a year from it. “We’re a thirsty lot,” quipped Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Satveer Chaudhary, of resident of Fridley.

But a number of concerns were expressed about Olseen’s bill, reflecting how a wood-burning plant became embroiled in politics elsewhere lately.

Why a 100-million gallon a year threshold? lawmakers asked.

A League of Minnesota Cities officials said Olseen’s bill, as currently proposed, would loosen groundwater protection within the seven-county metro area.

Chaudhary tabled the legislation, suggesting Olseen work on it as the state advances Minnesota Power's emission plan in parallel today.

Olseen questions whether L.S. Power would ever attempt to use groundwater in its plant operation.

Were it to do that, it would lose tax exemptions, Olseen noted.

But Olseen intends to bring his bill back.

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