Response from Xcel about Info Requests
Recently, well, October 10, 2012, I sent a request to Xcel Energy for their contracts referenced in their latest Compliance Filing, specifically for each project the
Correspondence to Xcel Energy and MN Dept of Commerce Oct 10, 2012
Correspondence to Public Utilities Commission October 10, 2012
What was I asking for? I asked Xcel Energy and the Dept. of Commerce to:
Please provide any and all New, Amended and/or Restated Project Participation Agreements, Construction Management Agreements, Transmission Capacity Exchange Agreements, and Operation and Maintenance Agreements for all segments of the CapX 2020 transmission project covered under the above-numbered Certificate of Need docket, including but not limited to Brookings –Hampton; Fargo – St. Cloud; St. Cloud – Monticello; and Hampton – Rochester – La Crosse. Please do not include those agreements filed in Appendix B of the original Certificate of Need application.
I got a response from Commerce that they had no such agreements, and it was good to get that confirmation of what I’d suspected.
More interesting, though, is that Xcel Energy, using way too many words, refuses to disclose, saying that it is “untimely and seeks confidential trade secret information that is not necessary for review of Xcel Energy’s compliance filings in this docket.”  They have made other compliance filings, and, well, it’s true, I just did this now, because a few thoughts occurred to me reading their most recent compliance filing, and if you recall, folks, I’m just one person here with office assistants without opposable thumbs, three CapX appeals, an Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court, Goodhue Wind, and a hospice dog who needs help to get up the stairs, outside, and requires regular baths. Sometimes it takes a while to get to things, sometimes it takes a while for something to sink in. I do it when I can, and I did it. And they don’t like it. Oh well, guess that means I’m going to have to dig a little deeper.
Here’s their response:
And it seems their collective memory needs to be refreshed:
Finally, to the extent CETF seeks to propound discovery, such request is improper because CETF is not a party in this docket.
HELLO?!?!
Pre-Hearing Order – Granting CETF & MISO Petitions to Intervene – PUC Docket 06-1115
Citizens Energy Task Force is indeed a party to this docket. So here we go again, once more with feeling:
From the resistance, looks like Xcel Energy realizes the importance of these documents! Onward!
Good Job!!! Always interesting when that thought that was just a tickle becomes crystal clear. Hugs to you and the hospice doggy!
I have seen much power-line construction already–what effect can any of these court proceedings have on, say, western MN where they’re making their presence known?