Xcel’s Hiawatha Project is getting closer…
April 9th, 2009
The Hiawatha Project, Xcel’s transmission line vision/nightmare for Phillips Community in South Minneapolis, is getting closer, moving forward toward an application.
Go to that page and sign up for notices and info if you haven’t already!
Here’s what just came over the wire from RaeLynn S. Asah, Xcel:
Greetings!
You have been previously contacted regarding the Hiawatha project and have expressed interest in keeping up to date on the status of the project.
We are currently finalizing the Route Permit application for the Hiawatha project and plan to file later this month.
As we have been preparing the application, we have been including input from the community on concerns about the project:
* The application will include four possible transmission line route locations and five design options, including the two underground route options that have been discussed (along 28th Street and 29th Street).
* We are including alternative locations for both the Midtown and the Hiawatha substations.
* We are including copies of the various resolutions in the application that reflect the concerns raised by various entities in the area.As part of the filing requirements, various City and County staff and representatives receive copies of the application along with copies at the local library. The filing will also be available on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commissions (PUC) web site (Docket # E002/TL-0938) and on our website. However, given your past involvement, we expect you would may a copy of the application. We would prefer to limit the number of paper copies we print to those that prefer that type of document. We will also provide a CD version to those who prefer that option.
Xcel Energy is committed to working with the community to the extent possible and fully encourages everyone to become involved in the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) process, which is open to all interested parties and individuals. The best way to ensure your organization and constituents stay apprised of project developments is to register with the PUC to be on their mailing list. You can do this by calling the PUC directly as requesting to be included on the mailing list for project docket #E002/TL-0938.
Please contact me as soon as possible to let me know if you would like a copy of the application, the type of document (paper or CD) and the number of copies.
Please feel free to contact me directly, all of my contact information is listed below.
RaeLynn S. Asah | Permitting Analyst | Siting and Land Rights | Transmission, Flr 8 | Xcel Energy | 250 Marquette Ave | Minneapolis MN 55401 | o: 612-330-6512 | fax: 612-573-4011
ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PLAN FROM HELL…
April 3rd, 2009
From the folks who brought you CapX 2020, today we get even more…
Here’s a link over to my other site — I’ll post a map and more tomorrow, but for now, go over to www.nocapx2020.info
CLICK HERE: ALL ABOUT THE NEW TRANSMISSION PLAN FROM HELL
How dare they… and on the eve of the CapX 2020 Certificate of Need oral argument and deliberation, whatever are they thinking… I do not understand
New York Regional Interconnect WITHDRAWN!!!
April 3rd, 2009
TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTUS
The New York Regional Interconnect has been withdrawn… withdrawn in the middle of cross-examination… like WOW!
This from a missive from Troy Bystrom, Project Manager for Communities Against Regional Interconnect (CARI) just a bit ago:
WE WON!!! NYRI PROJECT WITHDRAWS APPLICATION!!!
Today following a mid-day break in the Article VII certification proceeding, NYRI announced it will withdraw its application from consideration by the Public Service Commission. Counsel for NYRI explained that in the wake of a decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission earlier this week, NYRI’s investors decided to end their pursuit of an Article VII Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need. Earlier this week, FERC denied NYRI’s request for rehearing in a proceeding relating to the recovery of transmission system upgrade costs.
The announcement that NYRI is withdrawing its application occurred in the midst of cross examination of NYRI Witnesses and immediately following CARI’s cross examination on demand side management and economics.
The presiding officers asked NYRI to confirm in writing their withdrawal no later than Monday, April 6, 2009. The Judges also made clear that if NYRI were to seek approval for a similar project in the future, NYRI would be required to once again start at the beginning of the Article VII process.
Communities Against Regional Interconnect, on behalf of the counties of Sullivan, Orange, Delaware, Broome, Chenango, Madison, Oneida, Herkimer, Otsego and the Upper Delaware Council, Stop NYRI, Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, Say No to NYRI and the Upstate New York Citizens’ Alliance, would like to thank all of those who participated in opposing this ill-conceived Power Line Project in our region.
Thank you to everyone who sent donations, wrote letters, provided testimony, attended public meetings, County planning departments, communities, legal experts, the Attorney General’s Office, DEC, Department of Public Service, consultants, media, organizations, activists, local, state and federal elected officials who all participated in this unprecedented regional effort.
Together, we made a difference. However, the work is not over! We must secure intervener funding to protect the public interest if similar projects are proposed in the future and make sure the 4th District Court’s decision regarding FERC’s authority is not overturned!
And from Scott Olson, of Susquahanna-Roseland “Route B” fame, here’s a collection of today’s news flashes about it:
* APRIL 3, 2009, 4:21 P.M. ET
NY Regional Interconnect Suspends 190-Mile Transmission Project
-By Ian Talley, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9285; ian.talley@dowjones.com“FERC’s March 31 ruling essentially admits that the process may be biased, but it chose not to intervene,” the company said in a statement.
Officials from FERC and NYISO weren’t immediately able to comment.
… and on the scene, from the Pike County Courier:
NYRI calls it quits — the flying horse is dead
National Park Service on Susquehanna-Roseland transmission
April 2nd, 2009
Susquehanna-Roseland is but a small part of a much bigger plan:
For more information on the Ssuquehanna-Roseland transmission line, see:
STOP THE LINES
The National Park Service seems to be taking a rational approach — a thorough review of impacts on public lands:
National Park Service plans power line study
bscruton@njherald.com
The National Park Service wants a full environmental impact study done on how construction of new 500-kilovolt electric transmission lines will affect the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the river itself and the Appalachian Trail, a designated national heritage trail.
Just more than four miles of the proposed route crosses through the recreation area on its way from Susquehanna, Pa., to Roseland in Essex County. The Pennsylvania section is being proposed by PPL and the New Jersey section would be built and owned by Public Service Electric & Gas, the state’s largest power utility.
The National Park Service had the option to cede oversight to the utility-regulating agencies of the two states, but announced that “the NPS will adhere to its own regulatory and approval process” regarding the lines.
The proposed route follows an existing right-of-way which contains 230-kilovolt lines which were built in the late 1920s and pre-dates the recreation area. But when the federal government purchased the properties, it also became the party to the rights-of-way. In addition, to construct the new towers, the utilities will need additional, temporary rights-of-way.
Construction over environmentally sensitive areas along other parts of the route has given rise to much of the public opposition to the project.
Read the rest of this entry »
Art Hughes has died…
March 31st, 2009
I’ve just received a missive from Iowa that Art Hughes, Ph.D. in Power Engineering, died last month, February 17, 2009.
Bernard A. Hughes
He was born on April 3, 1945, in Hereford, United Kingdom, son of James R. and Sara (Price) Hughes.
Art died just a few days after this photo was taken. He was making comments at a public meeting about an ITC transmission line through his Peosta, Iowa neighborhood:
Hearing generates electricity
Dubuque County landowners express concern about ITC transmission line
By MICHAEL SCHMIDT TH staff writerPEOSTA, Iowa — Jack Ludescher has second thoughts about his retirement home.
During the question-and-answer session, property owners voiced their concerns about the project.
Doug Behnke, of Peosta, questioned how energy from the transmission line would be neutralized.
Behnke scoffed at ITC’s graphic, calling it “distortion.”