After spending millions on a publicly funded power plant, company has little to show

In a two-part series, the Duluth News Tribune found that despite receiving $42 million in state and federal funding over 10 years, a proposed “clean coal” plant has yet to move a shovelful of dirt. And despite receiving all of its backing from the public trough, the company’s spending records, including its officers’ paychecks, were put under wraps by the state legislature. The paper also found that the project is in need of more public funds to survive, and yet has not lined up a single customer for its power.

Rep. Tom Anzelc, D-Balsam Township, called out Excelsior Energy for claiming they would bring much-needed jobs to the area; “At the end of the day, this is a project that has not hired one full-time worker on the Iron Range. Only lawyers, lobbyists and professional meeting attenders have gotten jobs.”

To read part two, go here:http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/207407/publisher_ID/36/