Legalectric

Stumping for GOOGLE DATA CENTERS?!?! What a legacy for Michael Noble after 30+ years heading ME3 and Fresh Energy!

Q&A: Michael Noble departs Fresh Energy with optimism for future of climate policy

And talking the talk 26 years ago:

Michael Noble, Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Oh, but wait, it’s not just Michael “Noble” who’s left for Google — Gleckner was at least honest about what he’d be doing, and though signing filings for Google, it took him a full six months to register as lobbyist for Google, just days before the PUC’s public meeting about the Google data center in Pine Island:

Thank you and farewell By Allen Gleckner | December 12, 2025

Ever since the 1994 Prairie Island deal and compensation for PIIC becoming the “Renewable Energy Development Fund,” and then the 2002 TRANSlink deal, we knew what they were, though we still don’t know their price. Here we have Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), Izaak Walton League – Midwest (Wind on the Wires was Walton program then); Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy (ME3, now Fresh Energy), and North American Water Office, none of them are intervening opposing transmission (and that’s not even getting into all the “grants” to advocate for coal gasification):

In the Xcel Energy docket at Public Utilities Commission for an Electric Service Agreement (M-26-170) for electricity to power the Pine Island data center, a document was filed… but it’s TOP SECRET… TRADE SECRET… HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL… the ENTIRE document! All that was filed was this, with explanation why we can’t see it, ANY OF IT:

The Amendment has been designated as “Highly Confidential Trade Secret” in its entirety, as it comprises competitively sensitive contractually negotiated terms, that derive independent economic value from not being generally known or readily ascertainable by others who could obtain economic value or a financial advantage
from its disclosure or use.

Uh-huh… WAY too familiar… kinda reminds me of the Delaware IGCC’s “site plan” and “price” info filings at the PSC:

Getting caught up, and these four dockets are all tied together, so I’ve fired off this comment, because these should NOT be compartmentalized. So many people have asked me about electricity for the data center, whether the 765 kV lines of “PowerOn Midwest” (CN-5-117) and “Gopher to Badger Link” (CN-25-121) are connected, and what that Xcel’s Electric Services Agreement (M-26-170) for the Google’s Echo Zone data center means… I don’t have answers, just some hints, but it’s looking like it’s all connected.

Note I’ve filed this as an individual, and not in the course of representation of any party.

Comments are due June 26th by 4:30 p.m.

Now’s the time — Public Utilities Commission has provided Notice of Comment Period – it’s open for the data center transmission line.

Here’s the notice of Comment Period and meetings in full — meetings are in person and virtual so it’s easy to show up:

Get on the service list for this Public Utilities Commission docket, TL-26-135, and download the application — read it so you can comment effectively!

Comments are due June 26th by 4:30 p.m.