Legalectric

Here it is, REAL NEWS.  This is the Final (5th Order) Climate Science Special Report from the U.S. Global Change Research Program:

Final-Draft-of-the-Climate-Science-Special-Report

Bottom line?  First, note that this is an extensively authored and peer reviewed report, with multiple editors, and coordinating, lead, and contributing authors, and review of peer reviewed articles and journals.  They take great care in explaining “confidence levels,” pps. 6-10, an issue that Power Line Task Force brought before the PUC and Appellate Court over a decade ago regarding EMF:

The purpose?

OK, back to the bottom line — the key findings, p. 38-39:

Now, read it, the Executive Summary at least:

Final-Draft-of-the-Climate-Science-Special-Report

Coming soon, next Thursday, the Public Utilities Commission will make a determination on Completeness on the Freeborn County Wind Project application, and decide whether it should be referred to Office of Administrative Hearings for a Contested Case.

Here are the PUC StaffBriefingPapers

Contested case here we come!

And greetings from the Antique Boat Motor Show… zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…

The DOT says it wants to hear from us, so let’s not disappoint:

Take this short 10 minute survey

There have been a number of issues I’ve worked on that the DOT’s been involved in, particularly transmission and silica sand transport, and a noteworthy project here that thankfully did not go forward was Zip Rail.  These days, we’ve also got the Hwy. 63 bridge over the Mississippi River, and construction has started. The night view of what they’re building:

They’re also working on a 2nd passenger rail train to and from Chicago, which would directly serve Red Wing!  YES!

Let the DOT know what’s important to you, those little things like BRIDGE REPAIR, and maintenance.  Road work must be done, and now we’ve got the budget to get to the many things that were neglected during the Pawlenty era.  Expect delays, that’s the price we have to pay!

RE: PURPOSE AND NEED MEETINGS — CORRECTION FROM DOT:

CORRECTION: Purpose and Need Statement now available for proposed Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Intercity Passenger Rail Service

Our mistake! We gave you the wrong public information meeting dates in yesterday’s update. Wisconsin’s meeting is actually first. Correct dates are:

• Sept. 6 at the La Crosse County Administrative Center in Wisconsin
• Sept. 7 at St. Paul’s Union Depot 

We wouldn’t want you to miss these important public meetings. Sorry for the confusion.

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There’s been a lot of bruhaha here about the “Zip Rail,” but that’s now “Zip” since the DOT suspended “work” on that project.  What’s new is that there’s a specific initiative by the DOT now for adding a 2nd daily passenger train to and from the Twin Cities to Chicago, serving multiple points in between.  THIS IS NOT A HIGH SPEED RAIL PROPOSAL, it’s adding another passenger train on the eastern end of the Empire Builder route.

Here’s Amtrak’s 2015 feasibility report (PDF) 

And the reports this rail group has generated with DOT:

• Purpose and Need Statement – July 2017 (PDF)
• Second train feasibility study report (PDF)
• Second train feasibility study executive summary and recommendations (PDF)
• Exhibit 2 – station stops and alternate routes (PDF)
• Exhibit 3 – corridor photos set 1 (PDF)
• Exhibit 3 – corridor photos set 2 (PDF)

Meetings seem to be held monthly, but there’s no notice of when the next meeting is on the e“meetings” page, and there are no details of the meetings, agenda, minutes, presentations, etc.   See future forum meetings.  HA!  They’re missing PAST meeting!

Look at the “Public Engagement” and tell me if you see anything about the public, and look at “Membership/Members” and tell me if you see anything other than corporations, governmental and lobbying organizations — WHERE’S THE PUBLIC?

Here’s the “Put Me On The List” link, copied from their page: contact the MnDOT Project Managers or Mary McFarland, MnDOT Communications.

Have at it, and keep an eye out for a Fall 2017 public meeting where the Purpose and Need Statement – July 2017 (PDF) will be presented and discussed (it does not note a formal comment period).

Here are Comments filed on behalf of Association of Freeborn County Landowners:

Association of Freeborn CountyLandowners_Petition & Initial Comments – Filed July 6, 2017

Association of Freeborn County Landowners — Add to Service List

Process Issue – Timing of Request for Contested Case

Reply CommentsCompleteness – Association of Freeborn County Landowners