If you thought CapX was bad, check this!
Here we go, the Green Transmission Machine is here and is trying to leave the station, and what a crock. ITC Holdings, transmission only company a la TRANSLink, has announced “The Green Power Express” and here’s their press release:
And look at this map, here it is:
Once again, they’re calling it the “Green Power Express,” saying “it’s GREEN” from wind in Dakotas to Chicago… oh, but doesn’t it start in ANTELOPE VALLEY? Isn’t that where all those coal plants are? Isn’t that where they want to build new coal plants? And isn’t Illinois the state where they have thousands of MW of wind in the MISO queue? And for this we should give them $10-12 BILLION to build this? I don’t think so…
And while you’re at it, this is MTEP, so check this out the JCSP/MTEP plan:
Here’s the upshot of what they’re proposing:
All of this is tied in with the “Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative” which is a bunch of utility transmission oriented folks who have a lot to gain from this, Governors lead by Pawlenty the utility toadie, and regulators who don’t seem to be able to think their way out of a box — they’re promoting transmission without addressing need, claiming a transmission solution for a problem that doesn’t exist:
FINAL UMTDI MEETING TOMORROW
FEBRUARY 11, 2009
1:30-3:00 p.m.
PUC Large Hearing Room
3rd Floor
121 – 7th Place East
St. Paul, Minnesota
What dries me crazy is that this so obviously isn’t necessary, because there’s SOOOOO much wind already in Illinois and here’s the MISO queue, in Excel and sortable, for your edification:
Here’s an ILL WIND for this project, sorted from above MISO Queue (note that some of that 11,281MW is already in service):
But this is all about the MISO Midwest Market and displacing natural gas with coal:
ICF’s Independent Assessment of Midwest ISO Operational Benefits
Here’s the STrib article about the Green-with-Nausea Power Express:
Huge power line may be coming to Minnesota
We live in Elko-New Market erea, Their proposed 1st option is going between240th(right in back if the feild) and 250th street, its the 345vk, we do not like it one bit. Also its connecting at Panima Ave going from Prior Lake down to county rd 19 about 4 miles away,sirrounded by it. We understand this voltage is unhealthly to live by also and to control weeds they use harmful chemical not good for growing organic crop or fruits or vegetables. We decided to move out away from them. WE DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS-they don’t care about anything but $. They will do it no matter what, as long as we stand back out of their way. Thanks for leting us express our concern. kris