To the editor:

I was recently contacted by a very nice gentleman. We had a good conversation, but he took issue with a set of statistics I listed in my letter “Proud of our country, hopeful for the future,” dated 1/24. Specifically, he felt that some people may be misled. I will not name him as I’m sure he values his privacy, just as I do. All I will say is he is a farmer in our area. He asked me very nicely if I would clarify those statistics, so just as promised, here we go.

The statistics he said may be misleading are “In 2012, Minnesota was importing 25% of its electricity generation. A decade later we were importing just 9%.” He did not deny that these statistics were true. But he felt it was important to list the sources of electricity generation and what proportion of total electricity generation each source contributed for these specific years. Also note that all coal and natural gas is imported, but these figures are not calculated into the “imported electricity generation” statistics. Electricity generation from coal and natural gas power plants in Minnesota are included as in-state electricity generation.

In 2012, our in-state electricity generation came from these sources:

Coal: 43.2%, Nuclear: 22.7%, Renewables: 20%, Natural Gas: 13.4%, Other: 0.7%.

In 2022, our in-state electricity generation came from these sources:

Renewables: 32.4%, Coal: 27.4%, Nuclear: 24.9%, Natural Gas: 14.8%, Other: 0.5%.

Source: eia.gov

Definitions:

Other: blast furnaces and other minor sources that are non-renewable

Renewables: wind, solar, hydro, biomass, wood

Please note that the figures contained in the spreadsheet the Energy Information Administration provided may have been rounded before they were collected by the good people at the EIA.

To the kind gentleman who contacted me: I hope this is satisfactory. Feel free to contact me again. I’d enjoy having another conversation with you.

One last thought. Mr. (Rep. Chris) Swedzinski may think he’s helping his constituents, but he’s not. Either come up with a plan that works for everyone or get out of the way. Saying “no” all the time isn’t helpful.

Anthony Studemann

Marshall