Thursday, May 20, 2010, the day after tomorrow, scoping comments are due for the CapX 2020 transmission project’s Hampton to Alma (f/k/a Hampton to LaCrosse) transmission line.

So, once more with feeling, the “scope” is the breadth of the environmental review, and the Scoping Decision, which will come out after comments are reviewed, will be the Dept. of Commerce’s view of what all should be in the Draft Environmental Impact Study.

Here’s an example of a Scoping Decision to let you know how this will look, to help define what you should consider:

Scoping Decision – CapX 2020 Fargo-St. Cloud transmission line

Scoping Decision – CapX 2020 Brookings-Hampton transmission line

And compare those with the Rural Utilities Service concept of environmental review FOR THIS SAME PART OF THE CAPX TRANSMISSION WEB (hint – look here if you’re wanting to see what the feds are looking at, how that agency views it)(also, look here if you’re wanting to get a handle on what others have suggested, especially agencies, for the scope to guide your Comments to Commerce):

RUS Scoping Report for EIS

CLICK HERE FOR WHOLE ENCHILADA – IT’S HUGE

Here’s the RUS page to look at everything in the RUS that’s public so far:

RUS Environmental Impact Statement – Dairyland Power

And so now, where to send your comments by May 20, 2010?  Here’s from the MOES page:

The OES will accept written comments on the scope of the EIS until May 20, 2010.   Please include PUC Docket No. TL-09-1448 on your comments. Comments should be mailed, emailed, or faxed to:

Matthew Langan
State Permit Manager
Minnesota Office of Energy Security
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101-2198

Fax: 651-297-7891

matthew.langan@state.mn.us

Comments may also be submitted on the Commission’s energy facility permitting website:
http://www.energyfacilities.puc.state.mn.us

And if you’re looking for some hints based on what criteria the PUC will use in its decision:  Comment Form