Legalectric

Here’s the Kewaunee nuclear plant, owned and operated by Dominion. “Dominion was attempting in 2008 to put together a network of second-hand nuclear plants to produce electricity for the wholesale market. However, the plan was thwarted by cheaper natural gas prices that allowed electric producers to cut rates to big customers, making the Kewaunee plant too expensive to continue operating.”

No plans yet for Kewaunee nuclear power plant land, officials report

What struck me driving by was the 60s Jetsons’ like look, the blue paint on the reactor and other buildings.

My photo doesn’t show it off as well as those above. But for the record, as I was taking photos, a guard (?), security person, staff of some sort came rushing out and was most upset that I was taking photos! I immediately introduced myself and handed him my card, he wrote down my license plate number, and even said, “Well, you could be ISIS!” Right… 63 y.o. old fart attorney, I mean really, ISIS? Paranoia… if I was going to blow up a nuclear plant I would have done that ages ago, before spending 25 years dealing with nuclear and other sorts of energy, DOH!

He wanted to know what I was taking photos of, well, the plant, he was concerned about the substation, and, well, I just took a photo of the plant, and of the Dominion sign… here that is below:

Pretty exciting stuff, eh? We continued south to Pt. Beach, but it’s way down “Nuclear Road” and hidden behind trees and a long way down a road from the plant.

As you can see, the sun was setting, getting too dark for photos, so I’ll get back to Two Creeks Solar another time. But the sunset was amazing!

So let’s be clear, the most I’ll do is enlarge these nuclear photos, and not blow them up!!!

Here we go, deja vu all over again. Xcel Energy has taken over Freeborn Wind and has asked for a permit amendment, the Permit Amendment filings are here:

STAY, Freeborn Wind!

The Public Utilities Commission has just issued notice of the Comment period on the Permit Amendment:

Initial comments accepted through November 12, 2019 at 4:30 PM.
Reply comments accepted through November 19, 2019 at 4:30 PM.

Here is what they want to hear about:

Topics for Public Comment:
• Should the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission amend the Freeborn Wind Farm Site Permit to change the number, type and layout of the turbines to be used, as well as additional participating land?
• Should the Commission accept the supplemental environmental impact analysis?
• Should any permit conditions be modified or added if the requested amendments are approved?
• Are there other issues or concerns related to this matter?

Oh yes, there are plenty of other issues, and you’ll hear all about it, PUC! But it’s nothing you don’t know already.

To view all the filings, go HERE – DOCKET SEARCH and search for 17=410 (17 = year, 410 = docket).

How to Submit Comments:
Online Visit mn.gov/puc, select Speak Up!, find this docket, and add your comments to the discussion.
Email Comments can be emailed to publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us
U.S. Mail Charley Bruce, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place E, Suite 350, Saint Paul, MN 55101-2147
eFiling Visit mn.gov/puc, select eFiling, and follow the prompts (you’ll need to register, and it’s EASY and fast).

It’s that time of year again, the Power Plant Siting Act Annual Hearing.

And here’s the…

Here’s the Power Plant Siting Act — Minn. Stat. Ch. 216E!

Why an Annual Hearing? Because the statute says so:

Here are the reports from prior PPSA Annual Hearings:

2000 Summary of Proceedings

2000 Report EQB

2001 Summary of Proceedings

2001 Report EQB

2002 Summary of Proceedings

2002 Report to EQB

2003 Summary of Proceedings

2003 Report to EQB

2004 Summary of Proceedings

2004 Report to EQB

2005 Report to PUC

2006 Report to PUC – Docket 06-1733

2007 Report to PUC – Docket 07-1579

2008 Report to PUC – Docket 08-1426

2009 Report to PUC – Docket 09-1351

2010 Report to PUC – Docket 10-222

2011 Report to PUC – Docket 11-324

2012 Report to PUC – Docket 12-360

2013 Report to PUC – Docket 13-965

2014 Summary Report– Docket 14-887

2015 Summary Report – Docket 15-785

2016 Summary Report – Docket 16-18

Just filed yesterday, the Jewell Jinkins Intervenors request that the Wisconsin Public Service Commission take another look at their decision approving the CPCN and routing for the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line:

This is the final shot before the Commission at this PSC CPCN approval. The next possible step is Wisconsin’s Circuit Court, due 30 days after they (likely) reject this Petition. Other intervenors are planning on heading that way, ones with solid backing and resources.