Deal done on CapX Bemidji-Grand Rapids?

Filed under:Bemidji-Grand Rapids — posted by admin on August 27, 2010 @ 9:43 am

It looks like a deal is in the works to get the CapX 2020 Bemidji-Grand Rapids transmission line through the Leech Lake Reservation:

Documents outline power line talks between Leech Lake, utility officials

Posted: 5:21 pm Thu, August 26, 2010
By Bob Geiger

A group of five utilities is negotiating with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to buy right-of-way for a 230-kilovolt power line – connecting Bemidji and Grand Rapids – across the tribe’s reservation.

Fergus Falls-based Otter Tail Power Co., the lead developer on the transmission line, is among five electric utilities named on a draft settlement agreement with the Leech Lake Band.

Finance & Commerce obtained a copy of the draft settlement from a source close to the situation. An Otter Tail Power spokeswoman earlier this week conceded that the company was in talks with the tribe, but said the talks did not represent formal negotiations.

But in addition to a draft agreement between the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe tribe and the five utilities, the papers obtained by F&C include an addendum that describes proceedings as “confidential settlement negotiations.”

The draft agreement and addendum also encourage utilities to hire tribe members to provide security and, when appropriate, purchase project materials from the tribe.

(more…)

“Lessons learned from CapX 2020”

Filed under:Upcoming Events — posted by admin on @ 9:31 am

And what are you doing October 11-12?  How about going to an EUCI-PowerMarketers shindig in Chicago to give the industry a clue about siting transmission and what Capx 2020 is really about?

Transmission Expansion for Renewable Energy in the Midwest: October 11-12

Now whereever would they get the idea that CapX 2020 is “for Renewable Energy?”

Here’s direct info taken from their blurb that the sponsors just sent around:

  • Discuss key determinants shaping the grid build-out in the Midwest
  • Evaluate the findings of the MISO Regional Generation Outlet Study
  • Examine the planning and prioritization process for transmission expansion in SPP
  • Review Phase One of the SMART Study and how it’s sponsors will use the results to shape their transmission expansion plans in the Midwest
  • Describe lessons learned through the planning and siting process for CAPX2020
  • Discuss how state regulators balance planning and priorities for the transmission build-out in the Midwest
  • Identify how MISO is using visualization to improve renewable energy integration
  • Analyze the opportunities and challenges of a 765kV transmission superhighway meant to enable more renewable generation for more markets
  • Review HVDC technology as an alternative for transmission of renewable energy

A booth costs a fortune, so