Xcel plan to idle coal plants could save millions, slash carbon emissions; could Wisconsin utilities do the same?

Minnesota’s Xcel Energy says it can save ratepayers up to $30 million a year and eliminate millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions by idling two coal plants six months a year and changing the way they operate in the others.

Environmental groups are hailing the plan as a win for the climate and consumers and say there are opportunities for similar savings throughout the Midwest, including at the seven plants that still produce more than half the electricity generated in Wisconsin.

In a filing submitted last month to Minnesota regulators, Xcel proposes to shut down its Allen S. King and Sherco unit 2 generators during the spring and fall and run them only when profitable...
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Ken Notes:This is interesting and my guess is it gets them around the hurdles of site cleanup when you close a plant. I still do not like the idea of having coal around long term but if this is a workable step on the path to 100% renewable I`d look at it...