Legalectric

Quite a while ago I’d sent in a Data Practices Act request to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources because I hadn’t seen DNR comments on either of these 765kV transmission projects (Gopher to Badger and PowerOn Midwest).

Info arrived today!!

And btw, in this bunch of pdfs is proof positive that Kyle Johnson and Charlie Wray are ON THIS! But what’s also clear is that the DNR is not actively digging into this project. So there’s more work to do.

In no particular order:

I also sent another DPA Request when I learned that “one option” is to run that line on the other side of the lake from Myre-Big Island State Park.

I’m attached to that park, had a few meetings with Association of Freeborn County Landowners there, and of course, camp hosting in September, 2019. When I saw that map above, I had a chat with folks at the park, who hadn’t heard about it!

No response yet.

CORRECTION – there IS a hard copy of the Environmental Report at the table at the entry, there are TWO!!!!

Haven’t seen this for a long time — a sunrise! This one’s a sunrise over Stanton! I love being on the road, but getting moving, out the door by 6 a.m. is not my idea of a good time. Why so early? Well, Pipestone Public Hearing starts at 10 a.m.! Yes, it’s started.

And did people show up — 225 per the Xcel counter! That’s excellent. The sound was horrible though, need to work on that.

Then on to Slayton, though I just popped in and out, just couldn’t subject myself to the blather again.

These transmission proceedings are so exasperating. There’s no provision to get public hearing and evidentiary transcripts to local libraries for folks to catch up on what went on and to use for their comments. There’s also little awareness that this is for commenting on “need” AND the Environmental Report [DELETE: which is not available at the hearing table – CORRECTION, there are two copies available). And there’s no awareness that one can comment on specifics of the Enviromental Report and get answers! That’s just not OK, most of the folks need a little direction!

So I filed this, after talking with the judge, well, first the applicants, then Scott Ek, and THEN the judge, who didn’t want to get into ex parte contact and suggested I file a Motion. OK, fine, I can do that:

Onward!

It’s time to get to work. Here it is — some parts are too large to upload, the 2 Part Appendix J, so I’ll use the PUC link for those:

Appendix J Phase 1a Lit Review Part 1 of 2 202611-238458-14

Appendix J Phase 1a Lit Review Part 2 of 2 202611-238458-15

(and there are 5 more parts to Appendix J that are “TRADE SECRET”

Here are documents, linked and pdf’d that will be entered into the record next week (and David Patton, Ph.D., Potomac Economics, won’t need to appear) – note they call it “MISO Response to Overland No. 8″ and not North Route Group and NO765MN? What’s up with that?

For your reading enjoyment:

And the attached docs?

I’d say it’s more “regress” than progress… Anyway, Gopher to Badger? Shouldn’t it be “Prairie Dog to Badger,” as the 765 kV overlay section of Tranche 2.1 starts in South Dakota? And of course it goes beyond “Badger.”

Anyway, this “Supplemental Information” (202611-238460) was just filed, and it looks like a prelude to filing the route application:

They had to file simulations, ordered by the Commission in its Certificate of Need”completeness” determination, and here are a few — how decorative:

And these on Co. Rd. 5 south of Caledonia:

Looks like someone’s been driving across the field into the tree line.

This also Co. Rd. 5:

Why would I say it looks like a prelude to filing the route application? Simple, they’re using the route docket number, TL-26-156, the first Applicant filing in that docket.