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MISO Long-Term Nodal Insights

LCG, November 12, 2025--LCG Consulting is excited to announce the release of the MISO 2034 Data Model, built from the latest MISO Transmission Expansion Plan (MTEP). This powerful, nodal-level data model offers a forward-looking view of generation, transmission, and load forecasts across the MISO region—empowering energy professionals to explore the grid of the future with confidence.

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Xcel Energy and "Allies" Request Retirement Extension for Comanche Generating Station Unit 2

LCG, November 12, 2025--Xcel Energy, together with the Utility Consumer Advocate (UCA), Colorado Energy Office (CEO), and Trial Staff of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), filed a petition on November 10 requesting Commission approval to keep Comanche Generating Station Unit 2 available for up to one additional year after its currently planned retirement on December 31, 2025.

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Industry News

Big Stone II Coal Project Canceled

LCG, November 4, 2009--MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU) announced Monday that the Big Stone II Project, a proposed coal-fired electric generating unit, and its associated transmission upgrades, will not be built. The proposed unit was sited adjacent to the existing, 450-MW Big Stone facility located near the Minnesota-South Dakota border.

Montana-Dakota Utilities (a subsidiary of MDU) President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We will now look at other supply options that are reliable and cost-beneficial for our customers. We have plans to expand our wind production by 30 megawatts in 2010 and will review other generation options."

The Big Stone II project was estimated to cost about $1.6 billion, excluding transmission upgrades, and the operational date had been delayed to late 2015.

In June 2005, seven utilities announced their plan to develop a 630-MW unit that would be operational by 2011. In 2007, two of the utilities, Great River Energy and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, withdrew from the project, leaving five co-owners: Otter Tail Power Co., Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Heartland Consumers Power District, Missouri River Energy Services and Montana-Dakota Utilities.

On January 22, 2009, the last day the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could act on the permit, the EPA issued a written objection to the South Dakota Department of Natural Resources approval of the permit for the project that created a new hurdle for the project.

In September of this year, Otter Tail Power Company President and CEO stated that the broad economic downturn, coupled with a high level of uncertainty associated with proposed federal climate legislation and existing federal environmental regulation, have resulted in challenging credit and equity markets that make proceeding with Big Stone II at this time untenable for Otter Tail?s customers and shareholders.

On Monday, the remaining partners announced that the plant would not be built.
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