Xcel Energy & Google have applied for a double circuit 345 kV transmission line to hop across Hwy. 52 at 500th from the “North Rochester” substation north of Pine Island to its proposed/planned data center, to the south of 500th with FOUR substations! Yes, that’s the map above.

Pine Island data center transmission

June 2nd, 2026

Today, Xcel Energy and Google (Allen Gleckner, formerly Fresh Energy) filed Responses to Comments in the hearing and docket and their proposed Findings of Fact:

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s Order in the PowerOn Midwest docket (CN-25-117) denying the North Route Group and NO765MN’s Motion for Reconsideration is official:

This significantly limits what System Alternatives are evaluated in the Environmental Report. The Order states:

1) Staff may screen alternatives and impacts based on legal availability, relevance to the certificate of need decision, feasibility, availability, sufficiency of information, and ability to meet the stated need. This is consistent with Minnesota Rules 7849.1400 and 7849.0110.

2) MISO determines the “need” and “purpose” of a project…and “the Commission may exclude from analysis any alternative that does not meet the underlying need for or purpose of the project . . .”; Minn. R. 7849.1400; and

3) How can anyone provide “all supporting information” that the PUC deems “sufficient?” Minn. R. 7849.1400, subp. 6, requires an individual proposing an alternative route for study to submit all supporting information they would like the Commission to consider.”

Then again, methinks there are some specifications MISO is requiring that are not covered by these limitations. We shall see…

And leftovers from Bimi Thai!

Got notice over a week ago that the Public Utilities Commission wants an extension for time to file the Environmental Report for the PowerOn Midwest Certificate of Need (Docket CN-25-117), from September 23 to October 19, an additional 26 days.

OK, no problem. But what that means is that public comment is cut by 26 days!

Extend the public comment period by 26 days too! DOH!

Nope, they don’t want to do that.

WTAF?!?!?!

Scoping for the PowerOn Midwest 765 kV transmission line? What did Commission decide?

FULL DISCLOSURE: I’ve been sick with sinus hacking and wheezing and dripping and brain malfunction. First forgot (YES, FORGOT) and then couldn’t get online, tried and tried. Gave up. Then tried again and no problem, did get on… and it was too late… AAAAAARRRRRRRGH!

September 17, 2026 Agenda Meeting (starts at 3:00:03)

This is what they decided, below, plus Chair Sieben’s Decision Option 3:

Here’s the Sieben Decision Option 3, another “clarification” that makes no logical sense. How does anyone provide “all information” at the very beginning? It’s not the job of Intervenors or the public to dig up and file “all information,” or “sufficient information” — the record is developed in the proceeding, and in the Application the applicants are supposed to consider reasonable alternatives, individual alternatives and combinations of alternatives…

… doesn’t shift the burden of proof? Doesn’t presume need????

Here’s the Staff Briefing Papers, making a recommendation to the Commission:

After seeing how Applicants chose and evaluated “system alternatives,” with such ludicrous presumptions, this:

Gotta keep trying… sigh…