Legalectric

“If we were a bunch of liars, we’d have never got this project to where it is today.”

Tom Micheletti, Grand Rapids Herald Review, Nov. 20, 2006

OK, y’all, this is a test! Find the lies, misrepresentations, and balderdash in the Mesaba Messenger:

mesaba-messenger-november-2006-1.pdf

Please leave your findings in the comments below.

Need a hint?

• Consider the legal meaning of denial of a motion to dismiss!
• Explain how 10/25 rulings are big step forward!
• Explain impact of “Plan for Carbon Capture” on CO2 emissions!
• How many jobs for Range residents?
• Exactly how were the inputs for the UMD study verified?
• How many jobs? 1,000 in 2002, 107 in application, 143 in newsletter?
• When crucial pieces are so unreliable that a spare is needed, is it success?
• Is it good engineering to rely on gasifiers that are proven unreliable?
• Should “gas” be the secondary fuel noted on the DOE Agreement?
• Exactly what region has a 6,000MW need? (this should be easy for my regular readers).
• Exactly how many MW in the MISO queue for that same region when the CapX2020 report was written?
• Now many MW in the MISO queue for that same region NOW?

Excelsior states the following are myths (taken from the 3,781 word “Guest Column” in a Range paper), and ignore and misrepresent the facts:

Myth: The Mesaba Project will force wind energy off from the grid.

Fact: Read the MISO G519 study. “Misunderstand?” Right….

Myth: The Mesaba Project is an experimental project.

Fact: Read the DOE Notice of Intent, it’s a demonstration project, deemed too risky for private investment.

Myth: Energy from the Mesaba Project will be much more expensive than conventional technologies.

Fact: Excelsior’s presentation to the Metro Counties Energy Task Force says it’s $6,38. If we lose 25% with CO2 capture and another $7-14 billion for transport and sequestration, it’ll be what??? (as if $6.8 isn’t bad enough!)

Myth: The environmental advantages of Meaba’s IGCC technology over conventional coal plants may not be significant.

Fact: Read the testimony in this case! And note that Natural Resources Defense Council ($437,500), Clean Air Task Force ($787,500) and various chapters of the Sierra Club are funded by the Joyce Foundation to promote IGCC. Hey, you left out Clean Wisconsin and their $750,000, reported as $500,000 but we know better!

So, put on your thinking caps and find the errors in the Mesaba Messenger!

mesaba-messenger-november-2006-1.pdf

Extra credit if you can figure out what crucial newsletter staple is missing!!!