Here’s why it’s good the Mesaba Project was not built!
June 14th, 2015
Remember the Excelsior Energy Mesaba Project (see Legalectric posts and Citizens Against the Mesaba Project’s “Camp Site”), the boondoggle coal gasification plant that almost was, the project that got every legislative perk possible, got financing and grants based on wishful thinking and that “something else” that we just can’t identify (without which, who would think this was a good idea? That plant that was to be built, according to the special legislation for this project, on a site WITH INFRASTRUCTURE? This site… dig the infrastructure!
Anyway, it wasn’t built here. But a similar plant WAS built in Indiana, the Edwardsport plant owned by Duke Energy. As with the Mesaba Project it was proposed at a reasonable price, legislators were first told $700 million, and then it went upwards of $2.11 billion. For Edwardsport, same story, and that price kept going up, up, up, and in Indiana, it was so extreme that costs recoverable from ratepayers were capped by the Indiana Public Utility Commission at $2.9 BILLION. It was allowed to be built, and it started operating, sort of… Average output has been 41%, when an 80+% capacity factor was promised. Repairs? That’s putting it mildly. Now they’re going to try to get cost recovery for that.
Now, let’s not all forget all the money given by the Joyce Foundation to support this nonsense.
+++++++++++++
Here’s a specific and eloquent comment from Michael Mullet, very involved in opposition to the Edwardsport fiasco:
Pat Micheletti has kidney transplant
May 28th, 2015
Fair Use from STribIn today’s STrib:
Micheletti recovering from transplant after brother donates kidney
Says he was in severe pain and thought he had hip issues… whoa… and then went to Mayo to get checked out:
I’ve not dealt with Pat since Excelsior Energy Mesaba Project days, what a protracted sticky and very painful mess that was. He’s probably very glad to be out of that… I remember when he was caught in the midst of an ex parte contact blitz:
Excelsior’s indirect ex parte contact
July 26th, 2007
I will never forget the packed standing-room-only hearing in Taconite when one of the public commenters drifted up the aisle in flowing clothing and brought a sculpture/collage/birdcage(?) as an exhibit to present to the judge, representing the Mesaba Project and what it meant to her, the devastation it would create, and she said she made it especially for Pat (it might have been his birthday that evening). He was sitting near the back, on the center aisle, head in hands, shaking his head in disbelief at this odd presentation. The judge was visibly afraid/concerned, he held his hands up, “stay back” or some such, did not want her to approach with that “exhibit.” It was one of the most hilarious parts of that long mess.
USFWS Response to FOIA Request
April 29th, 2015
Recently, I’ve received USFWS responses to our FOIA Requests regarding the Black Oak and Getty wind projects, and there’s a LOT, and I don’t think that it’s made its way into either the Certificate of Need or Siting dockets at the Public Utilities Commission.
To see the PUC Dockets GO HERE TO PUC SEARCH PAGE and then search for dockets 11-471 (CoN), and 10-1240 and 11-831 (siting).
Here’s what we’ve received — it’s not uploading easily, so there’s some duplication and some may not all be included, and I’ll be working on getting this posted today:
43 CFR Part 2 Subpart F (handling conf info)
BlackOakGettyWindDraftAvianReportInitialCommentMemo110902
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Getty_Black Oak Wind Recent
DNR-CommentsBlackOakWindFarmDraftSitePermit110422
DNR-CommentsGettyWindDraftSitePermit_DraftABPP-120404
Getty Black Oak Acoustic Report – DNR Comments
Getty Windfarm Early Coordination Response (2)
DNR-CommentsBlackOak-GettyPermitAmendment140929
FWS-2015-00281 C_Overland Partial Release2
Black Oak and Getty Wind Farm Draft ABPP – USFWS Review Comment Letter1
Black Oak ECP General Comments Black Oak Getty Model Information
Black Oak Wind Farm – USFWS Response Letter 3-26-2010 (2)
Black Oak Wind Farm – USFWS Response Letter 3-26-2010
Black Oak Wind Farm – USFWS Review Response Letter (2)
Black Oak Wind Farm – USFWS Review Response Letter
Black Oak Wind Farm Eagle Minutes Black Oak Wind Steinhauer Tails 2009
FA 0145 Black Oak-Getty Agenda 8-30-11 (2)
Davis to Jennings Dewild et al Getty Wind 2010 FA 0068
Davis to Smith Geronimo Black Oak 2009 FA 0145
Davis to Steinhauer – Getty Wind Project Site Permit Application IP6866
WS-11-831 Davis to Steinhauer MN Commerce Energy Security
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak and Odell
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak ECP Comments
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Getty eagle minutes
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Getty shapefiles
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Survey points map
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Wind – Catching Up
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Wind – ECP
USFWS Comments – Black Oak and Getty Wind Draft ABPP
Re_ Getty Wind Project Site Permit Application IP6866_WS-11-831
Re_ Geronimo Black Oak Eagle Nest
Re_ Geronimo Black Oak Eagle Ne2
Re_ Geronimo Black Oak Eagle Ne
Re_ Geronimo Black Oak and Getty Wind Farm Bald Eagle Discussion
Re_ FW_ Black Oak Wind Farm-Ste
Re_ DNR Comments on Black Oak _ Getty WInd Bat Acoustic Report1
RE_ DNR Comments on Black Oak _ Getty WInd Bat Acoustic Report
Re_ Black Oak_Paynesville Follow Up
RE_ Black Oak_Getty Wind Projects – Data and Model Exchange3
RE_ Black Oak_Getty Wind Projects – Data and Model Exchange1
RE_ Black Oak_Getty Wind Projects – Data and Model Exchange
Re_ Black Oak_Getty Eagle use survey protocol
RE_ Black Oak_Getty Avian Report — potential meeting change3
RE_ Black Oak_Getty Avian Report — potential meeting change2
RE_ Black Oak_Getty Avian Report — potential meeting change1
RE_ Black Oak_Getty Avian Report — potential meeting change
RE_ Avian Report for Black Oak and Getty Wind Projects
RE_ Accepted_ Avian Report for Black Oak and Getty Wind Projects
PUC Docket Number_ IP-6866_WS-11-831 – Getty Wind Project Comments
PREDICTING EAGLE COLLISION FATALITIES
Letter from Rich Davis, USFWS, re Black Oak Wind Farm Site Permit App Review
Getty Eagle use Getty Avian Maps
Geronimo Black Oak Wildlife Discussion1 Geronimo Black Oak Wildlife Discussion
Geronimo Black Oak and Getty Wind Farm Bald Eagle
FW_ DNR Comments on Black Oak _ Getty WInd Bat Acoustic Report3
FW_ Black Oak Wind Farm-Stearns
DNR Initial Comments Memo – Black Oak_Getty Wind Draft Avian Report
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak and Getty Wind
CollisionFatalityModel_RCodeOverview
CMDataTemplate Black Oak_Getty Wind Avian meeting rescheduled
Black Oak_Getty Agenda for 8-30-11 meeting
Black Oak Wind Farm, Stearns County Black Oak and Getty Bat Study
Black Oak Wind Farm – USFWS Review Response Letter3
Black Oak – Getty Wind ABPP USFWS Comments
Avian Report for Black Oak and Getty Wind Projects
Triggers for AM at Windfarms_June 18_2014 (1)
template for collision risk model_MR_June18
template for collision risk model
Fig1_EaglePreConstructionSurvey
Email17_attachment1 EFP_Memo_ABPP_2-27-12
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – RE_ Black Oak_Getty Wind Farm and ECP Guidance – Meeting Agenda
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – quick R question
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Meeting in January 2014 for Black Oak_Getty Wind Farm
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Fwd_ Cause of Action FOIA (FWS-2014-01383) – Files Uploaded
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – FW_ DNR Comments on Black Oak _ Getty WInd Bat Acoustic Report
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Final Black Oak and Getty Wind Meeting Notes
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Draft Regional Eagle meeting notes, Wednesday, December 3, 2014
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – bogy
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak_Getty Wind Project
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak_Getty Wind Farm and ECP Guidance
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak_Getty Model Runs from July 2
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak_Getty Eagle Conservation Plan
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – BOGY ECP
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Wind Farm data
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Wind Farm and Getty Wind Project Eagle Monitoring Plan
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Wind – ECP
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Wind – Catching Up
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Survey points map
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Getty shapefiles
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Getty eagle minutes
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak ECP Comments
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak and Odell Davis to Steinhauer MN Commerce Energy Securit
Davis to Steinhauer – Getty Wind Project Site Permit Application IP6866 WS-11-831
Davis to Smith Geronimo Black Oak 2009 FA 0145
Davis to Jennings Dewild et al Getty Wind 2010 FA 0068
Meeting_Agenda_Geronimo_BlackOak_20110111 (2)
GOEA vs BAEA for Stearns Getty Tech Rep Memo
Fig1_EaglePreConstructionSurvey
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – RE_ Black Oak_Getty Wind Farm and ECP Guidance – Meeting Agenda
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – quick R question
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Meeting in January 2014 for Black Oak_Getty Wind Farm
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Fwd_ Cause of Action FOIA (FWS-2014-01383) – Files Uploaded
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – FW_ DNR Comments on Black Oak _ Getty WInd Bat Acoustic Report
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Final Black Oak and Getty Wind Meeting Notes
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Draft Regional Eagle meeting notes, Wednesday, December 3, 2014
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – bogy
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak_Getty Wind Project
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak_Getty Wind Farm and ECP Guidance
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak_Getty Model Runs from July 2
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak_Getty Eagle Conservation Plan
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – BOGY ECP DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Wind Farm data
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Wind Farm and Getty Wind Project Eagle Monitoring Plan
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Wind – ECP
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Wind – Catching Up
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Survey points map
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Getty shapefiles
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak Getty eagle minutes
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak ECP Comments
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mail – Black Oak and Odell Davis to Steinhauer MN Commerce Energy Securit Davis to Steinhauer – Getty Wind Project Site Permit Application IP6866 WS-11-831
Davis to Smith Geronimo Black Oak 2009 FA 0145
Davis to Jennings Dewild et al Getty Wind 2010 FA 0068
BOGY_BatStudy_Hamer_12172012
Black Oak-Getty Agenda 8-30-11 (2)
Now what’s Micheletti up to?
April 21st, 2015
Doesn’t this guy ever quit? New legislation with new option, wanting to change the law to allow a “biomass” plant on the Mesaba Project site. WHAT? Aren’t they paying attention to the Laurentian Energy Authority’s unworkable “biomass” projects in Hibbing and Virginia, the “biomass” plants that don’t have enough feedstock and so are burning coal? Did they forget that the MPCA has only issued one woody biomass permit, for Laurentian (Hibbing and Virginia) and that that permit was violated, so extremely that the MPCA issued fines and reworked the permit?
LEGALECTRIC POST: Laurentian “biomass” Air Permit Draft (second time around)
LEGALECTRIC POST: “Biomass” violates air permit – fines likely
DOH!
Thanks to a little birdie for the heads up on this.
Here’s the change, hidden in Senate File 2101:
Today, say NO to lines 191.4 – 191.19 of Senate File 2101.
Again! Legislative Auditor on IRRRB!
April 19th, 2015
Big thanks to Citizens Against the Mesaba Project for the heads up!
Minnesota’s legislative auditor will investigate IRRRB _ Duluth News Tribune
This specifically includes the $9.5 to Excelsior Energy and its Mesaba Project:
$9.5 was loaned, but as of 2008, with interest, that number was up to over $14 million, per the Legislative Audit report of 2008 (full report below):
Here’s an overview from CAMP:
Here’s the 2008 Legislative Auditor Report_IRR Loans to Excelsior Energy
And on this site, also posted in 2008:
Excelsior Energy under the auditor’s microscope
Here are some of the pertinent documents from that round — Read it and see for yourself. Anyway, mncoalgasplant.com wanted to dig around in the IRR’s records, so we started in filing this and that…
Or was it a Data Practices Act request?
All of the above!
We got quite a bit of information, and here’s Ron Gustafson’s spreadsheet, it may not be all inclusive, but some choice tidbits are there:
IRR Receipts – Final Review
The IRRRB’s handling of money, particularly handing it over to Excelsior Energy a/k/a Tom Micheletti and Julie Jorgensen, was appalling, and it’s about time this got another review. The Mesaba Project was one of the most obvious and disturbing examples of special legislation ever, from the legislatively granted perks like a mandate of Power Purchase Agreement, to eminent domain for a private company, to the Renewable Development Funds to the IRRRB money, pouring money down the rathole.
What were theys thinking? And what was the pay-off? The pay-off to Xcel Energy was that they got to keep their Prairie Island nuclear plant going. What was the pay-off to legislators who agreed to this? What was the pay-off to the “environmental” groups, particularly Bill Grant, then Izaak Walton League, who Tom Micheletti furiously accosted after the deal was temporarily stopped, yelling, “WE HAD A DEAL!!! BUT WE HAD A DEAL!!!” What did Bill Grant’s organization and its supporters get?