Legalectric

Everybody’s cheering the passage of SF 004 – the Renewable Energy Standard. But why does the Senate open the door to more perks for market transactions — bulk power transmission? That’s not a good thing… we don’t need transmission. READ THE WIND INTEGRATION STUDY – HERE!!
Here’s the problematic part of SF004 (CLICK HERE FOR LINK):

Sec. 2. TRANSMISSION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD.
Minnesota electric utilities, as defined by Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.1691,
Subdivision 1, paragraph (b), must study and develop plans for the transmission network enhancements necessary to support the renewable energy standards and milestones established in Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.1691, subdivision 2a. The study process must be designed to identify and optimize delivery of that renewable energy to Minnesota retail customers while maintaining system reliability.
As part of the planning process, Minnesota electric utilities shall incorporate and build upon the analyses that have previously been done or that are in progress, including, but not limited to, the 2006 Minnesota Wind Integration Study and ongoing work to address geographically dispersed development patterns. The Minnesota electric utilities shall collaborate with the Midwest Independent System Operator to optimize and integrate to the extent possible Minnesota’s transmission plans with other regional transmission considerations.
As part of the planning process, utilities shall convene and regularly consult with a group of stakeholders with experience and expertise in transmission system engineering and renewable generation technology to review the study’s proposed methods and assumptions, preliminary results, and ongoing efforts.
Utilities shall submit a report to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission by November 1, 2007, describing the activities undertaken pursuant to this section. The report shall include:
(1) a description of the analyses that have been undertaken and the results, including the critical issues that need to be addressed in order to develop the transmission needed to meet the standards and milestones of Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.1691, subdivision 2a;
(2) a comprehensive conceptual plan to guide ongoing planning efforts to develop the transmission necessary to support those standards and milestones;
(3) specific transmission line proposals necessary to meet those intermediate standards and milestones;
(4) a description of how the results of these studies have been reflected in the biennial transmission reports filed under Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.2425; and
(5) a five-year action plan that identifies with specificity the actions necessary to implement the specific proposals and to refine and further develop the transmission plans needed to support those standards and milestones, including initiating any certificate of need or other regulatory proceeding necessary to implement the specific proposals identified above.

Why is this in here? Wasn’t the 2005 Transmission Omnibus Bill from Hell enough? Why aren’t we repealing the noxious parts of that bill?

Assistant Majority Leader Aaron Peterson said after the lopsided Senate vote that he would consider substituting its version for his own before a House committee takes action next week.

HUH??  Oh, great idea…