Here we go again, people trying to get their participatory rights, but noooooooooo, not if the Minnesota   Office of Energy Security has anything to say about it.   Participate?  HUH?  WHY?

From a firsthand report about the Marshall EIS scoping meeting, regarding contact with Scott Ek and requests from the public for a Citizen Advisory Task Force on the western part of the line:

[A]t least three Townships had spoken to him as well, so there had been at least 4 separate calls to him.   I had been contacting township reps that I knew around here to let them know what a CATF was.  Scott said that letters had gone out to all the townships to let them know they could request one, but none I spoke to had received any, so nobody even knew there was such a thing as a CATF.  And no surprise here, but everybody I talked to was immediately interested in participating – I had no problem getting people to say they’d call him and request one.  Well, Scott made the mistake at this meeting of saying “there was no interest in this area in a CATF” and boy did he get it.  If you ever can access the transcripts from the Marshall 1:00 meeting, there’s some interesting reading in there.  I felt really bad for him, actually.  But then I thought, “well, buddy, do your job and you wouldn’t be in this pickle.”

Thanks to a little birdie for that.  I suspect that this is the same as what I experienced. I had been emailing local governments and then calling, and they had not received anything, and didn’t until not long before the deadline for requests.  Hmmmmmmmm, and they wonder why there are few requests?  But to ignore those on the western side, it’s just like they tried to do at the Commission meeting where we “won” Task Forces, where they tried to set only one Task Force, ONLY one… for those privileged few in Dakota County!  What uttter bullshit.  I am so tired of these games, keeping people out.  Landowners have rights and they have a right to be heard. This is their land, their life, and there is no excuse for not having a Task Force set up, or TWO or THREE or FOUR or more Task Forces set up on the central and western part of the Brookings line.  There is no excuse for this — do you here that MOES?

Here’s from the Marshall Independent.

Some residents of Lyon County townships said they were unhappy about not being allowed to form a citizens’ advisory task force on the routing process, like residents along the eastern parts of the routes had done.

“We applied, and from what I understand we were denied,” said Galen Boerboom, a resident of Westerheim Township. Boerboom said he had communicated with OES staff about forming a task force, but received no response. “There’s a lot of mistrust that comes, and a lot of questions unanswered.”

Grandview Township Clerk Brian Buysse said he had spoken personally with OES project manager Scott Ek about forming a task force. Harold Dieken of Fairview Township said he had also communicated with Ek via e-mail.

OES representatives at the meeting said they had mailed letters inquiring about task forces to area city, county and township government, but they received few responses. In the two areas that did form task forces, the government response was much larger, they said.

“If we don’t receive enough requests from (local government) entities, we can’t do it,” Ek said.

I hope he got the message loud and clear, I hope each and every MOES staffer and every CapX 2020 representative got the message.

(more…)

There’s been responses to NoCapX 2020 and CETF Motions to Reopen CapX 2020 hearing for additional evidence — evidence of sharply decreased demand.

U-CAN Reply Regarding Reopening of Hearing

NoCapX 2020 Reply Regarding CETF & NoCapX 2020 Motions

NAWO/ILSR Comments on Motions to Reopen

Applicants Response to CETF’s Motion and Related Filings by NoCapX

Check them out, particularly the Applicants, because they really don’t have much of consequence to say, it’s not like they can say we’re mistaken about the massive decrease in demand!

The good news is that Minnesota Public Utilities Commissioner Phyllis Reha did NOT stump for transmission as a speaker at the 2009 National Electricity Delivery Forum.

Who cares?  Well, this is old news, but as the PUC decision on CapX 2020 need approaches, bias exhibited by Commissioners is important to note — and here’s a good example from a prior Forum:

PUC Commissioner Reha: Enhancing the Nation’s Electricity Delivery System

What does this say to you?  Isn’t this something CapX 2020 should be presenting, not a Commissioner?  Having presented this, should Phyllis Reha be in a position to make a decision on the “need” for CapX 2020?  I think not!

Phyllis Reha has regularly appeared at the Energetics National Electricity Delivery Forum.  She made this presentation first in 2006, and she moderated a panel in 2007 (with Steve Corneli, former MN Asst. A.G. now V.P. at NRG!) and appeared in 2008.

At the 2007 “Forum” Laura McCarten, Xcel, was also presenting on CapX 2020 (yawn, nothing exciting):

CapX 2020 Transmission Initiative: Progress through an Alliance Approach

Even TRANSLink’s Audrey Zibelman, now PJM, was there in 2007.  Old home week…

Everything this group does PRESUMES transmission.  Is this something a PUC Commissioner should be doing?  I think it’s right up there with junkets to Europe to look at IGCC plants…

Now remember, this is TENTATIVE, it can change, but we’ve been promised it won’t be any earlier.

Tentatively, here’s what’s proposed for the CapX 2020 Certificate of Need:

Oral Argument – April 14, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.

Deliberation – April 16, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.

Public Utilities Commission

Large Hearing Room, 3rd floor

121 – 7th Place East

St. Paul, Minnesota

Will keep y’all posted of any changes.

Be there or be square!

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Senate File 1112, repealing the special treatment of utilities, exemption from eminent domain laws, is moving forward.  Yesterday it got through Senate Judiciary and it’s now going to Senate Energy.

Here’s a list of Senate Energy emails – contact them and let them know that Minnesota landowners need the protections of SF 1112, to pass it out of committee — enough of special treatment for special interests!

Forms – click and fill out form:

Yvonne Prettner Solon

Ellen R. Anderson

Sandy Rummel

emails for the rest of committee members:

sen.john.doll@senate.mn

sen.julie.rosen@senate.mn

sen.jim.carlson@senate.mn

sen.kevin.dahle@senate.mn

sen.scott.dibble@senate.mn

sen.mike.jungbauer@senate.mn

sen.amy.koch@senate.mn

sen.rick.olseen@senate.mn

sen.david.senjem@senate.mn

sen.kathy.sheran@senate.mn

sen.daniel.sparks@senate.mn

sen.ray.vandeveer@senate.mn

And be sure to thank the authors — I can just imagine the heat they’re getting from Xcel!!!!

Authors:  Senators Dahle ; Carlson ; Kubly ; Doll ; Pariseau

Get thee to the Capitol.

On Thursday, March 19, at 3:00 p.m., Capitol Room 15, SF 1112 is on the agenda!

GET ON THE PHONE

GET ON THE COMPUTER

LET THEM KNOW YOU SUPPORT REPEAL OF Minn. Stat. 117.189!

Contact Senate Judiciary Committee (651-296-1279)  and get on the list to testify — tell them your story, what condemnation means for you and why you need the protections other landowners get — why utilities aren’t special!

SF1112 is the repeal of Minn. Stat. 117.189, which gave utilities (public service corporations) an exemption from many of the landowner protections in Minnesota’s eminent domain law.  The bill will be heard in the House Energy Committee soon.

Here’s the bill — it’s the repealer at the end that’s important:

1.1   A bill for an act
1.2   relating to eminent domain; repealing certain exemptions for public service
1.3   corporations;amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 117.225; repealing
1.4   Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 117.189.
1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6       Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 117.225, is amended to read:
1.7   117.225 EASEMENT DISCHARGE.
1.8   Whenever claiming that an easement acquired by condemnation is not being used
1.9   for the purposes for which it was acquired, the underlying fee owner may apply to the
1.10  district court of the county in which the land is situated for an order discharging the
1.11  easement, upon such terms as are just and equitable. Due notice of said application shall
1.12  be given to all interested parties. Provided, however, this section shall not apply to
1.13  easements acquired by condemnation by a public service corporation now or hereafter
1.14  doing business in the state of Minnesota.

1.15      Sec. 2. REPEALER.
1.16  Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 117.189, is repealed.

What to do?  Call or email every member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and House Energy Committee and tell them to support SF1112 and HF1182!

Here is the link to their contact info:

Members of Senate Judiciary Committee

Members of House Energy Committee

Get ready for the Environmental Scoping meetings for the Brookings CapX 2020 transmission line.  They’re hosted by the Dept. of Commerce, and will hopefully help determine the issues to be addressed in the Environmental Report.

Brookings Public Meeting Notice – Scoping

Comments will be accepted until April 30, 2009.  Send to:

scott.ek@state.mn.us

When are the meetings?  End of March going into April:

Monday, March 30th

1-4 p.m. & 5-8 p.m.

Best Western Marshall Inn

1500 E. College Dr.

Marshall, MN

Tuesday, March 31st

5-8 p.m.

Midwest Center for Wind Energy

2390 County Hwy. 1

Hendricks, MN

Wednesday, April 1st

12-3 p.m.

Prairie’s Edge Casino & Resort

5616 Prairie’s Edge Lane

Granite Falls, MN

5-8 p.m.

Redwood Area Community Center

901 Cook St.

Redwood Falls, MN

Monday, April 6th

5-8 p.m.

Hog Wild Saloon & Eatary

514 Main St

Henderson, MN

Tuesday, April 7th

5-8 p.m.

New Prague High School Commons

221 – 12th St. N.E.

New Prague, MN

Wednesday, April 8th

9-12 p.m. & 1-4 p.m.

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites

20800 Kenrick Ave

Lakeville, MN

Thursday, April 9th

Grandpa’s Event Center

31846 – 65th Ave

Cannon Falls, MN

Slight change, now we’ve got to urge the Local Government Division to pass HR 1182.

Local Government Division Membership HERE

Click link above and call or email them TODAY – PASS HR 1182!

Yes, it’s that bad.  Call everyone…

Senate Transmission Bill

CALL EVERYONE AND SAY “NO!”

“NO, OVER MY DEAD POLAR BEAR!”

… starting with that dreadful Sen. Amy Klobuchar:

Washington, DC

302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
phone: 202-224-3244
fax: 202-228-2186

Metro Office

1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Main Line: 612-727-5220
Main Fax: 612-727-5223
Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043

It’s time to repeal Minn. Stat. 117.189 — by exempting public service corporations from many eminent domain laws, it gives utilities unfair advantage over landowners, and takes away the constitutional rights of landowners.  It’s got to go!

Senate File 1112 and House File 1182 were introduced Monday and are on the way to Senate Judiciary and House Gov Ops.

Here’s the bill — it’s the repealer at the end that’s important:

1.1   A bill for an act
1.2   relating to eminent domain; repealing certain exemptions for public service
1.3   corporations;amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 117.225; repealing
1.4   Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 117.189.
1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6       Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 117.225, is amended to read:
1.7   117.225 EASEMENT DISCHARGE.
1.8   Whenever claiming that an easement acquired by condemnation is not being used
1.9   for the purposes for which it was acquired, the underlying fee owner may apply to the
1.10  district court of the county in which the land is situated for an order discharging the
1.11  easement, upon such terms as are just and equitable. Due notice of said application shall
1.12  be given to all interested parties. Provided, however, this section shall not apply to
1.13  easements acquired by condemnation by a public service corporation now or hereafter
1.14  doing business in the state of Minnesota.

1.15      Sec. 2. REPEALER.
1.16  Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 117.189, is repealed.

What to do?  Call or email every member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and House Gov Ops Committee and tell them to support SF1112 and HF1182!

Here is the link to their contact info:

Members of Senate Judiciary Committee

Members of House Gov Ops Committee

If you’re so inclined, get thee to the Capital, get thee to the SOB, and stop by and let them know in person!  Bring a simple one page handout urging their support of HF1182 and SF 1112, explaining why it’s important to you!