Will Nissen

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Biography

About me

Will Nissen is a graduate of the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs and joins MN2020 to work on clean energy issues and policy in Minnesota. He looks forward to contributing to MN2020's continuing efforts to communicate the many positive impacts that come with integrating clean energy sources into the state's energy production portfolio. A St Paul resident, Will enjoys anything music-related, cooking and Minnesota sports through good times and bad. Prior to graduate school, Will worked in the music industry and now fully appreciates that it is a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.

A hard look at Minnesota's coal plants

By Will Nissen, Minnesota 2020

On November 1st, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted 5-0 to have Minnesota’s largest utility, Xcel Energy, submit a plan by July of 2013 that examines alternatives to continued operations at the Sherco 1 and 2 coal-fired power plant units. The plan will compare the cost of upgrading the units (two of the three largest coal units in the state) with modern pollution controls versus retiring the units in favor of other electricity generation like wind, solar, and natural gas, and demand reduction through efficiency, conservation and other efforts.

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The cooperative model goes solar

By Will Nissen, Minnesota 2020

From the health insurance giant Health Partners to rural farming communities to the corner grocery store, member-driven cooperative businesses thrive in Minnesota.

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Oil in an oil-less state

By Will Nissen, Minnesota 2020

Although our plains, prairies, and forests are free of fossil fuel deposits, Minnesota is plugged into world’s oil industry.

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The wind production tax credit and electricity rates

By Will Nissen, Minnesota 2020

Much has been written here at Minnesota 2020 and elsewhere about what will happen to direct and indirect jobs related to the wind industry if the federal wind production tax credit (PTC) expires

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OPINION | Two shutdowns highlight aging nuclear plants

By Will Nissen, Minnesota 2020

(Photo by James Phelps)

What happens when you take two of the state's three nuclear generation units offline at one time? Well, apparently not much.

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Coal's decline has come to Minnesota

By Will Nissen, Minnesota 2020

Over 110 coal plants have announced retirement throughout the U.S. since January 1, 2010, according to the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign.

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Some background on mining in Minnesota

By Will Nissen, Minnesota 2020

I wrote recently about the potential impacts of proposed copper, nickel and precious m

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Gas and oil boom hits Minnesota and Wisconsin

By Will Nissen, Minnesota 2020

The oil and natural gas boom in the U.S. has led to countless changes across the country. Record-low natural gas prices have contributed to over 100 planned coal-fired power plant shutdowns.

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