Thanks to a little birdie for this!

Check out page 4.  So is that Wisconsin’s Russell Feingold?  Naaaaaaah, must be his alter ego…

Black & Veatch – 2012 Strategic Directions in the U.S. Electric Utility Industry

Keep in mind that this is a utility survey, so it is not a report on reality, it is a report on perceptions of the “captains of industry,” not the “captives of industry!”  Here’s what they’re concerned about (click to enlarge):

And an interesting one — I cannot comprehend how, in 2012, anyone involved in things electric would think that coal gasification would ever be viable (click to enlarge):

And my favorite — LOAD GROWTH (click to enlarge):

(that’s dear departed Kenya doggy in front of the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant back in 2004 or so)

Uprate Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant?  I think not…

Today was the deadline for filing comments to Xcel Energy’s Changed Circumstances Petition.  Here it is:

Xcel Petition – Changed Circumstances

And what’s been filed so far:

Commerce Comments (yawn)

City of Red Wing (misses the boat, doesn’t address need, only $$$)

Prairie Island Indian Community – BULLS EYE!!! Very well done!

And Alan and I filed joint Comments:

Muller and Overland Comment – we did the math!

Photo: Janell Lynch

Back when KFAI was in Walker Church, I spent a lot of time there volunteering at the station in many capacities (and incapacities?), virtually lived there, it was just a few blocks down 16th Avenue from my house.   For many years, it was a locational focal point of my life.  Walker Church was home to so many organizations over the years, ranging from KFAI, Fresh Air Radio, up in the attic with the bats; a newspaper or two or three; incubator of activist organizations; providing sanctuary to refugees in danger; a meeting place for AA/ACOA in the basement; frequent theater and music events; free community meals; recently a meeting place for Occupy…  Walker Church has been the essence of COMMUNITY in Powderhorn, extending to Phillips.  With all the hate and hateful things going on now in the name of “Christ” and “Christianity,” now more then ever we need this example of what a church, and what “Christianity” is about — leadership, community, sanctuary, activism, advocacy, acceptance, and more.

Walker Church website

Early reports said it was a lightning strike, the STrib reports two men in a yellow truck were seen leaving on the run, taking furtive glances back… no official determination yet as to cause.

Now it’s gone.

A Brief History of Walker Church – Conrad DeFiebre

May it rise like the phoenix from the ashes… it’s done it before — we need Walker Church.

KFAI’s Report

IndyMmedia – WalkerChurch, hub of Mpls activist community, burns after lightning strike

Photos from St. Paul Pioneer Dispatch

STrib – 5 firefighters hurt battling blaze that destroyed Mpls church

STrib- Prayer Service this morning … (similar to above)

Info from the scanner

MPR photos & links

CBS Minnesota

Community Dinner at Walker Church

Monday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m

9:30 a.m. meeting about the barbeque and next steps

Walker Church had already planned on a barbeque for the community tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. and they have stated that it will go on as planned (at the site of the church).   Walker Church has been a sanctuary for many and has served the community for over 100 years.  Please attend both the meeting and the barbeque (5:30 at 31st & 16th) if you can.

Neeting at 9:30 a.m. to work on the barbeque & future of church: Living Spirit UMC, 45th and Bloomington.

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EMERGENCY MEETING RE WALKER CHURCH FIRE

EMERGENCY MEETING RE: WALKER CHURCH FIRE Monday, May 28 at 1 p.m. – Waite House, 2323 11th Ave S, Minneapolis

A number of community organizations including CUAPB, Welfare Rights Committee, MIRAC and others lost our offices, computers, records, etc. in a devastating fire that destroyed Walker Church. We are all now left scrambling for meeting space and other resources so that we can continue our important work. We (link) also want to help the Walker Church family–who does so much for the community–get back on their feet. Please attend this community meeting to be together and help us figure out how to start to move forward.

Xcel’s annual meeting was last week, seems they’re holding it out of town these days.   Amarillo, Texas???  Whyever for? From seekingalpha:

Xcel CEO Hosts Annual Meeting Conference – Transcript

Xcel Annua

l Meeting Conference Q&A

This year, NSP-Minnesota is down 3 cents/share, “weather had an adverse effect.” Here’s their “Investors” page with all the poop:

Xcel Investors Page

And on the right, check out the Xcel Energy 2011 10-K.  Here’s the bad news (from my perspective):

Xcel Energy 2011 10-K

So if this money talk is making you glaze over, check this one:

Yesterday was Syttende Mai, and I missed it — was on the road all day, out to Sioux Falls and back for a funeral, and here it is, May 18… well, it’s my anniversary today, but that was several lifetimes ago, I’d rather celebrate Syttende Mai.

And that triggered a post by a friend dedicated to his Norwegian grandmother that I must steal, well, can’t very well steal the Norwegian anthem, but it’s worth a listen because the words are so important today in the US (other than that blue-eyed part and lame characterization of women’s role):