{"id":1190,"date":"2009-11-29T23:22:02","date_gmt":"2009-11-30T06:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/?p=1190"},"modified":"2009-11-30T17:59:43","modified_gmt":"2009-12-01T00:59:43","slug":"let-the-hearings-begin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nocapx2020.info\/?p=1190","title":{"rendered":"Let the hearings begin!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beginning tomorrow, three weeks of hearings on Brookings CapX 2020 routing …\u00c2\u00a0 the schedule is below, way below.<\/p>\n

YOU, yes, YOU, can question witnesses, YOU can testify, YOU can enter exhibits, in short, YOU can tell the ALJ just what you think of the CapX 2020 transmission line.\u00c2\u00a0 YOU can question their witnesses to ferret out the truth!<\/p>\n

\"ferret\"<\/a>How do you ferret the truth from a weasel?\u00c2\u00a0 Who knows… but that is our job.\u00c2\u00a0 Let’s get to it!<\/p>\n

First, the easy part — Written Comments.<\/p>\n

Written comments regarding the route permit should be submitted directly to Judge Richard Luis. Comments may be submitted by U.S. Mail, Fax or email. Comments will be accepted through January 15, 2010, and should include the Office of Administrative Hearings Docket Number: 7-2500-20283-2. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Mailed comments must be post marked by that date. Faxed, emailed, and delivered comments must be received by 4:30 P.M. that date.\u00c2\u00a0 Send to:<\/p>\n

Judge Richard Luis
\nOffice of Administrative Hearings
\nP.O. Box 64620,
\nSt. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0620
\nFax: (651) 361-7936
\nemail: capx.oah@state.mn.us<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here’s the important part of the notice:<\/p>\n

Members of the public will be allowed to participate without the necessity of intervening as a party. Representation by legal counsel is permitted but not required. Participation includes: a) offering direct testimony; b) offering testimony or other material in written form at or following the hearing; and c) questioning witnesses. <\/em><\/p>\n

Any person who wishes to question a witness, but does not want to ask the questions, may submit questions in writing to the ALJ, who will then question the witness. Questions may be submitted during the hearing or may be sent to the ALJ in advance of the hearing. A transcript of the proceedings will also
\nbe available on request.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Got that?\u00c2\u00a0 “ANY PERSON!”\u00c2\u00a0 That’s YOU!!\u00c2\u00a0 This is important because most people do not have the ability to intervene in a PUC proceeding, and yet people affected by this project, any project, have a lot to say.\u00c2\u00a0 No one knows the area better, no one knows the impacts, no one knows or can describe in technicolor why it’s a stupid idea better than the people on the ground.<\/p>\n

QUESTIONING THEIR WITNESSES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to question witnesses, first, figure out what you want to question them about.\u00c2\u00a0 Start by figuring out what witnesses there are, who is saying what, and you can do that by going online and looking at their prefiled testimony.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s easy…<\/p>\n

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    \n
  1. Go to the PUC’s “SEARCH DOCKETS<\/strong><\/a>” page<\/li>\n
  2. Search for Docket 08-1474.<\/li>\n
  3. Look at the testimony they’ve filed — once you look at it you’ll see it’s not all that complicated.\u00c2\u00a0 Look for “GRE” and there’s Direct Testimony filed on October 13, and Rebuttal filed on November 20.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Their witnesses are:<\/p>\n

    Craig Poorker<\/strong> – GRE’s Manager of Land Rights – before that, he worked for Chisago County on Rights of Way and so I’m sure knows all about how NSP\/Xcel is undergrounding the Chisago project down the west bank of the St. Croix River Valley!\u00c2\u00a0 Let’s ask him about that.\u00c2\u00a0 Pam Rasmussen too, as she was part of that project for a decade or more.\u00c2\u00a0 Poorker’s testifying about routing, impacts on the river valleys, why they won’t consider undergrounding, etc.<\/p>\n

    Kevin Lennon<\/strong> – check his Rebuttal about transmission lines and pyrotechnics!<\/p>\n

    Dr. Peter Valberg<\/strong> – he’s the utility toady who testified for NSP back in the SE Metro line, where we had Dr. Martin Blank as a witness (he testified last Monday in the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission case, they were out of their league, he did an excellent job).\u00c2\u00a0 Here’sDr. Blank’s testimony, a delightful counter to the likes of Valberg:<\/p>\n

    Testimony of Dr. Martin Blank<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Pam Rasmussen – <\/strong>here’s the part I don’t get.\u00c2\u00a0 Usually she testifies about “environmental” issues, and here, she’s testifying about EMF and in her Rebuttal, stray voltage.\u00c2\u00a0 SAY WHAT?!?!?!\u00c2\u00a0 I don’t recall that she’s an engineer or has had training in EMF… very strange.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Take a look at their testimony, and start to write down your questions.\u00c2\u00a0 Talk it over with friends or family who are interested in this to formulate them so that you’ll get some kind of answer.<\/p>\n

    TESTIFYING YOURSELF!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    YES, you too can testify.<\/p>\n