Legalectric

The notice for the public hearings on the Xcel application for transmission for the Pine Island Google Echo Zone data center, Phase I, just hit the inbox after Wednesday’s Prehearing Conference:

Here’s where and when:

There’s also an online hearing, and directions on how to join are in the Notice:

Comments are due by Friday, September 25th, and comments on Findings of Fact are due Friday, October 9::

During the PHC, I’d proposed the option of submitting Findings of Fact, editing or deleting what was proposed, or adding new ones, something normal in the usual process, but in this new ram-it-through process is absent, I wanted to get that option in there. Public participation is being left in the dust, and I don’t want that to happen!!

Also, I was VERY concerned about lack of notice of the Prehearing Conference. HOW CAN PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IF THEY DON’T GET NOTICE?!?!?! This is a new process, with a very short timeline, and many people are interested, showing up for meetings, and commenting in scoping and in the docket generally, but very few were on the notice list for the PHC. WHAT?!?! I requested that those commenting be added to the service list, and many, I hope ALL, were added, and that is MUCH appreciated. People can’t participate if they don’t have notice (and often I think that’s the point of limited service lists — color me jaundiced after 30+ years). Check out the expanded notice list — if you’re not there and want to be on the list, contact saarah.maxon@state.mn.us

Mark your calendars. September 14 & 15 for hearings, September 25 comments are due, and October 9, Findings of Fact.