The first Prehearing Conference for “PowerOn Midwest” was June 1, where we discussed many of the specifics of the process for this project. All those who had petitioned for intervention were granted intervention — that means North Route Group and NO765MN intervening in opposition, the ONLY ones opposing thus far. “Clean Energy Organizations” Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Fresh Energy, Clean Grid Alliance, and Sierra Club are intervening in support; MISO in support of their project, DOH; and LIUNA! in support for union work.

The schedule for “PowerOn Midwest,” PUC docket CN-25-117, has been formally ordered by the Administrative Law Judge:

Here are the specifics of the schedule:

And after all that, there’s “Exceptions” to the ALJ Report — a line by line and narrative critique, then a Commission meeting a month or more after that. Then after a Commission decision, a “Motion for Reconsideration” 20 days later, then another Commission meeting to address Reconsideration, and then there’s a trek off to the Appellate Court.

Lots to put on the calendar, and some time to get “public participation” arranged!

It’s the North Plains Connector!

Yes, you’re seeing that correctly — it starts at the Colstrip coal plant in Montana, headed toward St. Anthony, ND. From the Colstrip site, northwesternenergy.com:

They’re selling it as “bidirectional” but…

… why send electricity to Colstrip?

It also starts in Center, ND! Hmmmm… what’s there?

Why it’s Coal Creek, “North Dakota’s largest coal plant,” and North Dakota’s Largest Coal Plant Could Power Data Centers, Industrial Complex. From the article:

Let’s keep an eye on this, given the destination is “the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in Minnesota.

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.

Catching up from a couple days ago, the “PowerOn Midwest” Applicants, Northern States Power Company, Great River Energy, and ITC Midwest, have filed “Applicants’ Response to Scoping Comments.”

This is important, because “Response to Scoping Comments” in another docket was the vehicle introducing the notion of a “DNR Proxy” route, one that did NOT include the DNR’s opposition to a new Mississippi River Crossing, and did not include recommendation of EXISTING CROSSINGS, alternate river crossings that were utterly reasonable. Veracity matters!

This Filing Letter and COS Scoping Comments needs a very close look!

For example, look at their bottom line on the Thomforde suggestions:

“THE APPLICANTS… DO NOT CONSENT TO FURTHER EVALUATION!”

Wonder why?