Freeborn Wind Reconsideration
May 1st, 2020

They’re starting construction, too early, not following procedures, and yes, starting to move ground around, and, well, not doing a great job of it. That’s a matter for another day.
Association of Freeborn County Landowners has filed its Motion for Reconsideration, and Xcel Energy has filed their response:
Someday soon the Public Utilities Commission will give Notice and have a meeting about this… if not, in 60 days, our Reconsideration will be deemed denied, and it’s off to the Appellate Court once again!
E.O. 13920 SECURING THE UNITED STATES BULK-POWER SYSTEM
May 1st, 2020

“Free marketers,” duck and cover. And utilities, contractors, get ready… Just in, for Public Inspection, will be released Monday:
The gist of it is that utility infrastructure and equipment should not be coming in from other countries, particularly “adversaries.” Threat? What threat?
From the E.O., p. 2-3:
WHAT?!?!
COVID NEGATIVE
April 5th, 2020

Results came in a couple days ago. NEGATIVE! For now… but the sinus crap is lingering on, and on, and on… that is SO frustrating.
Rx: Continued isolation, RARE trips out for essential stuff, and wait it out.
Times like this, I’m glad to work from home, though I miss the trips to meet with clients!
UPDATE: Corona State by State – call the Governors!
April 3rd, 2020

UPDATE: MO and AL now have STAY AT HOME ORDERS!
Agitating project for today in quarantine — contact all the pink and grey states on this map. Message? “LOCKDOWN NOW! You’re putting your state’s people at risk, and increasing infection, sickness, and deaths. Just do it — issue stay-at-home order NOW!”
What the hell is wrong with these states? And this is one reason why we need honest and ethical leadership at federal level.
Fauci: I don’t understand why all states are not under stay-at-home orders
Well, it’s called federal lack of leadership. Most states have stay-at-home orders, I was on Gov. Walz to do that, and we should have done it before Wisconsin, but at least he did do it. Now, on to these others, some of which have local stay-at-home but no STATEWIDE stay at home. Missouri and Alabama now have STAY HOME Orders. Come on, Governors, just do it:
Contact Iowa Governor
PUC’s Freeborn Wind Order Amending Xcel Site Permit and Denying AFCL’s EAW Petition
March 31st, 2020

It’s out, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s Order both rejecting Association of Freeborn County Landowners’ Petition for Environmental Assessment Worksheet and approving the Xcel Energy site permit amendment.
The Commission meeting amending Xcel Energy’s permit as requested was back on December 19, 2019, and the Commission’s deliberation and “decision” rejecting the AFCL Petition for an EAW was February 6, 2020:
Per the EQB rules (Minn. R. 4410.1100, Subp. 6), the Commission was supposed to issue an Order and Record of Decision WAY BACK, but didn’t. We appealed their “decision.”
AFCL appeals PUC denial of EAW Petition
This new order (20203-161639-01_Order-Site Permit Amendment and Denial of AFCL Petition for EAW) has many statements, some pretty wild ones, but I don’t see what ought to be there.
It’s time to get out the magnifying glass for a careful read. AFCL, this means all of us!!!