Legalectric

Just released, the environmental review scoping decision for the “PowerOn Midwest” transmission project, PUC docket CN-25-117. This is what will and will not be covered in their environmental review “lite.” Note: “Unless a party, a participant, or a Commissioner files an objection to this decision within ten days of receiving it, it will become the Order of the full Commission under Minn. Stat. § 216A.03,
subd. 8 (b).” Received June 9th — Objections due June 19th! Objections must be SPECIFIC.

The first Prehearing Conference for “PowerOn Midwest” was June 1, where we discussed many of the specifics of the process for this project. All those who had petitioned for intervention were granted intervention — that means North Route Group and NO765MN intervening in opposition, the ONLY ones opposing thus far. “Clean Energy Organizations” Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Fresh Energy, Clean Grid Alliance, and Sierra Club are intervening in support; MISO in support of their project, DOH; and LIUNA! in support for union work.

The schedule for “PowerOn Midwest,” PUC docket CN-25-117, has been formally ordered by the Administrative Law Judge:

Here are the specifics of the schedule:

And after all that, there’s “Exceptions” to the ALJ Report — a line by line and narrative critique, then a Commission meeting a month or more after that. Then after a Commission decision, a “Motion for Reconsideration” 20 days later, then another Commission meeting to address Reconsideration, and then there’s a trek off to the Appellate Court.

Lots to put on the calendar, and some time to get “public participation” arranged!

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.