05/26/08 Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dakota County Citizens Group Challenges CapX 2020

Transmission Lines are Harmful to Citizens, Landowners, Communities, and Environment

5/26/08 Farmington, MN— Dakota County is set to be a central hub for new CapX 2020, 345-kV high voltage power lines stretching from North Dakota through Wisconsin.   Not only would two of the three CapX lines cross through Dakota County, but a new power sub-station is proposed in Hampton where the lines would meet. A second substation is being proposed in Eureka or Greenvale Township. Dakota County-based Citizens Energy Task Force (CETF) is challenging the need for the CapX 2020 power lines, one of the largest power line projects in Minnesota, as well as pushing for more conservation and community wind energy, and working to protect the rights of citizens across Minnesota.

“Utility companies haven’t shown that it wouldn’t be cheaper to make better use of conservation and renewable energy closer to home,” said Bev Topp, long-time Dakota County resident and chair of CETF. “Considering that it is such a large project with a total price tag of 1.7 billion dollars, it is only fair to know whether or not we truly need these lines. If the project goes through, local citizens and ratepayers are the ones who will foot the CapX 2020 bill.  We will pay for it through our electricity rates, and landowners will pay for it when the lines cross their property.”

Atina Diffley, a Dakota County landowner, farmer and vice-chair of CETF stated, “The CapX 2020 power lines are too big, too many and not designed to support rural communities in building energy generation nearer to where it will be used. The environmental effects of the power line are another issue, since the proposed Cap X 2020 lines rely heavily on energy from coal power plants.  The emissions from coal-fired power plants contribute to climate change and pollute our air, lakes and rivers,” states Diffley.  “It is irresponsible and unhealthy to rely on coal-generated energy when there are sustainable, clean, and renewable energy alternatives available.  We are demanding that our energy needs are met through a combination of conservation, increased efficiency, and increased generation of local, renewable energy that is clean, forward-thinking, and will keep dollars in our community.  It just makes sense,” said Diffley.

Topp sees eminent domain exemptions as another big problem with the CapX 2020 project, especially how it would play out in Dakota County. “There are as many as 70,000 citizens whose land would be affected by these lines, and yet most citizens are unaware that utilities have exemptions from fair eminent domain laws,” she said.

“These are exemptions from laws that would normally ensure landowners are protected and fairly compensated in these types of cases.  Even state and county governments are not exempt from these protections.

“As a coalition of landowners and concerned citizens, CETF can have a much bigger impact and work for all landowners’ rights,” said Topp.  The Dakota County townships in the proposed corridor include Eureka, Greenvale, Castle Rock, Waterford, Sciota, Hampton, Empire and Vermillion.

CETF is based in Dakota County and is working to protect the rights of citizens across Minnesota.  The Cap X project has applied for a Certificate of Need which will be granted or denied by the Public Utilities Commission. Public meetings on the CapX 2020 project are being held throughout the next two weeks, and public hearings will be held in June and July. For more information and to learn how to get involved, visit www.cetf.us or contact CitizensEnergyTaskForce@gmail.com.