14 th Annual International Legislators Forum EPA Carbon Regulation

1. 14th Annual International Legislators ForumEPA Carbon Regulation June 26, 2014 Eric J. Olsen Vice President and General Counsel Great River Energy

2. Presentation Outline • Great River Energy and electric cooperative background • Potential impact of the proposed rule on GRE • GRE’s action plan regarding the proposed regulations

3. GRE and our membership • 28 member cooperatives – 1.7 million consumers • 4th largest G&T in the nation • $3.7 billion total assets • $2.8 billion total debt • $980.4 million revenue • 880 employees (MN and ND) • 3,619 MW generation • 701 MW renewables • 4,660 miles transmission

4. GRE is a G&T cooperative • Generation and transmission cooperatives (G&Ts) generate and transmit electricity to distribution co‑ops • Distribution cooperatives deliver electricity to the consumer • G&Ts are owned by distribution cooperatives • Distribution co-ops are owned by member electric consumers

5. U.S. electric co-ops • 846 distribution & 66 G&T cooperatives • Serve an estimated 42 million people in 47 states, including: • 18 million businesses, homes, schools, churches, farms, irrigation systems & other establishments in 2,500 of 3,141 counties in the U.S. • Nearly 13% of the nation's METERS are customers of rural electric co-ops

7. Great River Energy’sMembers Rely on Coal Plants • Coal Creek Station 1140 MW • Stanton Station 188 MW • Spiritwood Station 99 MW • 67% of GRE’s energy comes from coal • GRE’s North Dakota coal-fired plants are the economic foundation for our members’ affordable rates

8. Great River Energy’s Minnesota Generation • 1300 MW of gas-fired peaking plants provide reliability • 31 MW waste to energy plant provides renewable energy • 300 MW of Minnesota wind purchases are carbon free • 650 KW of new solar provides valuable R&D benefits

9. Great River Energy Prepared for Carbon Regulation • Accelerate depreciation of Coal Creek and Stanton Stations • Reduced CO2 emissions 20% below 2005 levels • Substantially reduce reliance on coal • Meet growth with conservation, energy efficiency renewables, natural gas, and the market • Use municipal waste for power generation; don’t landfill it • Work with our members to develop solar and other nontraditional generation

10. Impact of the Proposed Rule on Great River Energy • North Dakota carbon intensity reduction requirement is 11% • DryFining™ coal refining system reduces CO2 emissions by 4% • Spiritwood combined heat and power plant is half as carbon intense as conventional coal • Minnesota carbon intensity requirement is 41% • GRE’sMinnesota generation is low or no carbon • GRE is meeting Minnesota’s renewable energy standard and conservation goals

11. Reliability and Affordability Remain Care Concerns • The nation and region rely on the market for reliable energy and low cost resources • What affects the market affects Great River Energy and our members; no utility is an island • Carefully analyze the rule’s impact on reliability and cost

12. Great River Energy Advocacy Regarding the Proposed Rule • Multiple efforts to shape outcome • Midwest Power Sector Collaborative • Coalition for Innovative Climate Solutions • National Rural Electric Cooperative Association • Work with federal and state policymakers

13. Thank you.