Legalectric

Hmmmmm… Outland Renewable Energy proposes another “it’s for wind line” NOT… what does this mean? Do I detect trajectory?

Otter Tail Power’s Big Stone II coal plant is floundering, and the transmission for that project is pending at the Minnesota PUC, transmission that necessarily must connect to CapX 2020’s “it’s for wind” NOT line:

• “Outland Renewable Energy” proposes an “It’s for wind” line…

• It’s a regular ol’ corporation, and does not have the power of eminent domain.

• FERC regulations prohibit any transmission provider to discriminate against generators, generation types, etc., wind, coal, nuclear, whatever… An “It’s for wind” line can’t be done. Legally it must transmit whatever is out there…

• oh… and a google reveals that Ingrid Bjorklund, V.P. of Governmental Affiars and Associate General Counsel for Outland, is also an Ottertail Power lobbyist.  She has since filed a termination notice for Otter Tail, hmmmmm.

Oh… OK… sigh…

Here’s their Press Release that was picked up verbatim by Shakopee Valley News and North American Windpower (Finance & Commerce did a bit better, bit it’s not online yet, rumor has it that F&C will be online soon) and probably others who didn’t put any thought into whether this is possible, legal, or just PR hype from toadies of coal hedging their bets as the transmission line that BSII depends on hangs in limbo…

OUTLAND ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR A COMMUNITY-WIND POWER LINE
December 21, 2007 – Chaska, Minnesota

Minnesota-based, Outland Renewable Energy, LLC (Outland) announced today their plan to build a community-wind generator-owned power line focused on moving wind energy from the wind-belt of southwest Minnesota to the Twin Cities area. Outland is a non-utility, private company and will finance the Minnesota Independence Line itself. This privately funded line will significantly increase the ability of wind energy resources available to meet the increasing demand for clean, renewable energy and will help Minnesota meet its Renewable Energy Standard, which states 25 percent of the state’s electricity will come from renewable energy sources by 2025.

“Outland is proud of its mission to harness the power of wind, creating a clean, safe and secure energy future for our communities,” said Ingrid Bjorklund, vice president of government affairs and associate general counsel for Outland Renewable Energy. “We are tackling the transmission bottleneck with an innovative solution to get the state’s abundant wind energy to market sooner.”

The Minnesota Independence Line will be a high-voltage transmission line approximately 150 miles in length, running from the Buffalo Ridge area to the Twin Cities area. This wind line will have the potential to move up to 3,000 megawatts of wind out of the wind-rich Buffalo Ridge region. Outland hopes to have the line operational in 2012. This will help the state meet the first milestone in the Renewable Energy Standard, which is 12 percent by 2012.

Since Outland’s wind-energy generation is community-based, it conforms to Minnesota’s goal that we develop more of our state’s renewable resources as homegrown energy. Outland’s commitment to Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) ensures that Minnesota renewable energy and the associated economic development stays in the state.

As an extension of our wind generation, Outland’s transmission line is also community focused. Outland envisions that landowners along the transmission route will embrace and participate in community ownership. This will enable those communities in Minnesota that do not enjoy the same abundant wind resource that exists in southwestern Minnesota to share the economic benefits of the state’s wind energy resources.

“This is a community endeavor where we will actively reach out to our communities to discuss every step of the project,” Bjorklund said. “Outland has the expertise and financial strength to deliver the potential of wind energy to Minnesota and revitalize our rural communities.”

The transmission grid in southwest Minnesota is at its maximum capacity and cannot support the significant increase in new wind energy that will be needed to meet Minnesota’s Renewable Energy Standard. This transmission congestion in that area is causing a backlog of projects, which is inhibiting wind farms from fully developing. The Minnesota Independence Line will significantly increase transmission capacity in southwest Minnesota, which will help Outland deliver wind more quickly.