APRIL 15 AND 16 - IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Posted on | March 28, 2009 |

Correction: the correct dates are April 15 and 16!  See below.

IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE WORK CETF HAS DONE TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION ON THE NEED FOR THE CAPX2020 TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT, APRIL 1415 AND 16 ARE IMPORTANT DATES TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR.

You have an opportunity to let your concern be known to the Public Utilities CommissionTuesday April 1415 and Thursday April 16th. The PUC will hold hearings on CapX2020 Certificate of Need Tuesday, April 1415 and Thursday, April 16 at the Public Utilities Commission. The hearings are slated to start at 9:30 am each day and the address of the PUC hearing is as follows:

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
Large Hearing Room on 3rd Floor
121 7th Place E.
Saint Paul, MN 55101-2147

On April 1415th, the PUC will be hearing oral arguments on the CapX2020 Certificate of Need case and will be hearing an oral argument on whether to reopen the record. It is not certain that members of the public will be given an opportunity to speak, but it is definitely important that a substantial number of people attend to show that there is a public concern about the projects. Please also contact local officials who are concerned about CapX2020. Our attorney will take the time to identify people who have come to express their concerns even if they cannot speak. CETF will have tags available for you to wear, identifying our group.

On April 16th, the PUC will be conducting its deliberations and making its decision. Again, although we have no reason to be optimistic about the PUC, we have even less reason if there is no public pressure on them to do the right thing.

Although the Administrative Law Judge makes recommendations, the Public Utilities Commission will decide whether the CapX2020 power lines are “needed,” whether they will be required to contract for wind energy instead of coal and whether there will be any other requirements to protect communities or ensure local renewable energy gets built. In addition, since we obtained information that electric demand has declined due to the recession, CETF made a motion to reopen the record to reevaluate need. (see brief: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/ShowFile.do?DocNumber=5819767)

The PUC will be deciding this motion as well on April 16th. Short of litigation, the PUC’s decision is the final determination on whether the CapX2020 projects will be built. After this, the only question will be which route.

Comments

2 Responses to “APRIL 15 AND 16 - IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER”

1. Paul W. Honermann
   April 9th, 2009 @ 1:07 pm

   To whom it concerns:
   I have a 10 acre parcel of land that was purchased 3 months ago. The land sits right along 591st Street where one of the proposed routes is planned. My hope was to build our future home there this spring. I am not sure what to do at this point. I guess I am looking for some wisdom and direction as to what to do next. I don’t want these gigantic power lines, is there anything I can do? Thanks, Paul Honermann

2. Terry Bovee
   April 13th, 2009 @ 8:26 pm

   I attended a few of the early CapX2020 meetings in Arlington and Henderson. I was always left with the impression from the ‘power line staff’ that this power line was necessary to convey wind-generated power from the Buffalo Ridge area, NOT to be a dedicated line to support a coal-fired power generator, either a new one or existing ones.

   In this day and age, we need to think about how to enhance clean power and conserve energy…not do ‘business as usual’!

   I do not support the CapX2020 project if it is only to serve the coal industry.

   Thank you. Terry Bovee, Henderson, MN

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Email Address(required)

Website

Comments

Security Code: