Xcel Energy notified Minnesota regulators and MISO of its intent to stop generating electricity with coal at its Black Dog plant in Burnsville in April 2015, due to changing environmental regulations. The notification is the last step in a multi-year resource planning process. Black Dog's two coal units currently generate 232 MW of electricity. The company will continue to operate the 300-MW natural gas unit located at the Black Dog site. The coal units' retirement will trigger a multi-year decommissioning project. Starting in 2015, Xcel Energy will begin to remove coal handling equipment and close the coal yard and ash pond areas. The company is working with local and state authorities to prepare for the closing of the coal and ash handling areas.
