Write this one down for the record book – on the short version of the Brookings “Recommendation” from Judge Luis, yup, I would agree with CapX Applicant GRE’s Randy Fordice:

Randy Fordice of Great River Energy said he was still reviewing the judge’s recommendation but “it doesn’t appear the judge made a firm recommendation on a river crossing and is leaving the final decision up to the Commission’s ruling.”

Why?  Because AGAIN he said, “LeSueur, and if not LeSueur, Belle Plaine” and specified AERIAL!  Can you believe it?!?!

ALJ Recommendation for Brookings CapX Transmission

ALJ Amendments to Findings of Fact

But he’s got the time period for exceptions wrong – it is 15 days.  Anyone affected by a recommendation can file exceptions– if there are specific parts, rewrite them, provide support for the changes (citations to documents in evidence, or statements in transcripts).  The transcripts can be found in the local libraries, and testimony and the exhibit list are online at www.puc.state.mn.us, then to “Search eDockets” and then search for 08-1474.

Send exceptions (be sure to write docket number, 08-1474, prominently) to:

Burl Haar  (or email, burl.haar@state.mn.us)

Public Utilities Commission

121 – 7th Place E, Suite 350

St. Paul, MN  55101

Here’s an article from the LeSueur News Herald:

Ruling in CapX2020 Minnesota River crossing released

By: Stephanie Hill

Posted: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 10:53 am

After three public hearings held in October, Administrative Law Judge Michael Luis issued his recommendation regarding the transmission line crossing over the Minnesota River.

In the 62-page Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendations on Remand report the judge writes that the MPUC “grant a route permit for the segment between the Cedar Mountain Substation and the Helena Substation; (1) use the modified preferred route with an aerial crossing of the Minnesota River at Le Sueur or (1a) if the modified preferred route is not granted a permit then the ALJ recommends granting a route permit for the alternate route utilizing the Gibbon Crossover Route, with an aerial crossing of the Minnesota River at Belle Plaine.”

Randy Fordice of Great River Energy said he was still reviewing the judge’s recommendation but “it doesn’t appear the judge made a firm recommendation on a river crossing and is leaving the final decision up to the Commission’s ruling.”

Fordice said the PUC will now hold a 10-20 period for people to file exceptions to the judge’s ruling.

At the close of that period the PUC will hold a deliberation hearing probably mid to late January according to Fordyce.

He expects the PUC to make a decision on the crossing late January to early February.

Once the decision has been made by the PUC landowners affected by the crossing will be contacted.  Construction then would then possibly start in 2012.