In the Xcel Energy docket at Public Utilities Commission for an Electric Service Agreement (M-26-170) for electricity to power the Pine Island data center, a document was filed… but it’s TOP SECRET… TRADE SECRET… HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL… the ENTIRE document! All that was filed was this, with explanation why we can’t see it, ANY OF IT:

The Amendment has been designated as “Highly Confidential Trade Secret” in its entirety, as it comprises competitively sensitive contractually negotiated terms, that derive independent economic value from not being generally known or readily ascertainable by others who could obtain economic value or a financial advantage
from its disclosure or use.

Uh-huh… WAY too familiar… kinda reminds me of the Delaware IGCC’s “site plan” and “price” info filings at the PSC:

It’s the North Plains Connector!

Yes, you’re seeing that correctly — it starts at the Colstrip coal plant in Montana, headed toward St. Anthony, ND. From the Colstrip site, northwesternenergy.com:

They’re selling it as “bidirectional” but…

… why send electricity to Colstrip?

It also starts in Center, ND! Hmmmm… what’s there?

Why it’s Coal Creek, “North Dakota’s largest coal plant,” and North Dakota’s Largest Coal Plant Could Power Data Centers, Industrial Complex. From the article:

Let’s keep an eye on this, given the destination is “the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in Minnesota.

Getting caught up, and these four dockets are all tied together, so I’ve fired off this comment, because these should NOT be compartmentalized. So many people have asked me about electricity for the data center, whether the 765 kV lines of “PowerOn Midwest” (CN-5-117) and “Gopher to Badger Link” (CN-25-121) are connected, and what that Xcel’s Electric Services Agreement (M-26-170) for the Google’s Echo Zone data center means… I don’t have answers, just some hints, but it’s looking like it’s all connected.

Note I’ve filed this as an individual, and not in the course of representation of any party.

Comments are due June 26th by 4:30 p.m.

Now’s the time — Public Utilities Commission has provided Notice of Comment Period – it’s open for the data center transmission line.

Here’s the notice of Comment Period and meetings in full — meetings are in person and virtual so it’s easy to show up:

Get on the service list for this Public Utilities Commission docket, TL-26-135, and download the application — read it so you can comment effectively!

Comments are due June 26th by 4:30 p.m.

Catching up from a couple days ago, the “PowerOn Midwest” Applicants, Northern States Power Company, Great River Energy, and ITC Midwest, have filed “Applicants’ Response to Scoping Comments.”

This is important, because “Response to Scoping Comments” in another docket was the vehicle introducing the notion of a “DNR Proxy” route, one that did NOT include the DNR’s opposition to a new Mississippi River Crossing, and did not include recommendation of EXISTING CROSSINGS, alternate river crossings that were utterly reasonable. Veracity matters!

This Filing Letter and COS Scoping Comments needs a very close look!

For example, look at their bottom line on the Thomforde suggestions:

“THE APPLICANTS… DO NOT CONSENT TO FURTHER EVALUATION!”

Wonder why?