Legalectric

…they are so slow about posting this paper, drives me crazy, anyway, look, here’s Czar, the new officer — he’s the one with the hair! Excelsior LTE to follow:

I couldn’t have said it better myself… well, obvously I’d be a bit more direct, but read between the lines here (and check the on-line version tonote the placement and see how difficult the STrib makes it to read):

CLEAN-COAL TECHNOLOGY

Proceed with caution

In his Sept. 2 column, “Hey, Xcel, clean-coal makes sense here, too,” Rep. Michael Beard, R-Shakopee, points out that Xcel Energy’s proposal to build an Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle “clean-coal” power plant in Colorado demonstrates the company’s environmental leadership. We have shown that leadership in Minnesota with our commitment to wind energy, biomass and other renewable resources. And we are ready to show leadership in clean-coal technology.

First, it is important to understand what we are doing in Colorado and how that differs from Excelsior Energy’s proposal in northern Minnesota. The Colorado IGCC plant would be a demonstration project to find out if IGCC technology can operate efficiently and cost effectively using Western coals at high altitudes. Unlike the Minnesota project, the Colorado plant will include actual capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide emissions. It is an effort funded and controlled by Xcel Energy to ensure that we understand the technology, while not exposing our customers to added risks or costs.

We support the efforts of Beard and others to explore this technology for Minnesota and supported the legislation he introduced to promote a clean-coal project. But that legislation also wisely protects our customers from costs and risks from this project. We are proceeding cautiously, asking questions and presenting information so that the costs and risks of the project are fairly presented and considered by policymakers. Based on our analysis of the proposal currently under study, customers would be exposed to unnecessary risks and costs.

Xcel Energy supports clean energy and innovative proposals that are cost effective and in the best interests of the communities we serve. With regard to Excelsior Energy’s Mesaba Project, we want to make sure that what could be a boon to clean energy doesn’t turn out to be a boondoggle for our Minnesota customers.

CYNDI LESHER, PRESIDENT AND CEO,

NORTHERN STATES POWER-MINNESOTA,

MINNEAPOLIS

Quick, before this weekend’s paper is posted, here’s another LTE from the Wednesday Grand Rapids Herald Review:

Burning coal can have many consequences

Editor:

National Geographic (March, 2006) has two articles on the consequences of mining and burning coal. The first is â??The High Cost Of Cheap Coal.â? The author states that coal-fired power plants now operating in the United States produce 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide a year, the same amount as every car, truck, train, and plane currently operating in the United States.

Duluth News Tribune (4/13/06): a six year study by the University of Minnesota showed that vegetation won’t absorb as much of the extra carbon dioxide, produced largely by the burning of coal and natural gas, that scientists had hoped. According to Peter Reich, study leader and a professor in the University’s Department of Forest Resources, â??The findings raise the possibility of accelerated global warming.â?

The article goes on â??until recently, worldwide computer modeling counted on plants to absorb a good share of the extra carbon dioxide.â? According to Inez Fung, co-director of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment at the University of California Berkeley, these results show â??we were far too optimistic.â?
Duluth News Tribune (2/17/06): using new data from satellite imagery, scientists have discovered Greenlandâ??s icebergs are melting into the sea twice as fast as previously believed, the result of a warming trend that renders obsolete earlier predictions of how quickly the earth’s oceans will rise over the next century.â? According to Julian Dowdeswell, a glacier expert at the University of Cambridge in England who reviewed the findings for the journal Science, â??The implications are global. We are talking about the worst storm settings…you are upping the probability major storms will take place.â?
Minneapolis Star Tribune (6/2/06): Excel Energy reports their customers have paid millions of dollars for wind power that was never produced. Because Excel Energy doesnâ??t have enough transmission lines, it can’t deliver all the wind power generated. As a result, many wind generators are routinely disconnected.

Excelsior Energy now wants us to build a coal-fired power plant, that isn’t needed, that will release more carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the environment, benefiting only a select few, while harming the environment and lots of people in the long run.

When a person makes an assumption, they usually make a second, and more critical one, at the same time. For example, the first assumption Rob Crowe makes is that people are misinformed. The second assumption he makes is that his first assumption is true. Because he assumes that his first assumption is true, he never takes the time to find out how informed other people really are.
One quart of oil can produce a two-acre oil slick. One gallon of oil can make one million gallons of water too foul to drink. Once water reaches 35 parts per million of oil, fish die. If the land in question is not pristine, as Mr. Crowe asserts, all the more reason to keep Excelsior Energy and others from fouling it even more.

Gary Burt
Taconite

In today’s Bismarck Tribune:

Nothing (opposition is doing) will stop Big Stone II

By Carol Overland
Red Wing, Minn.

Iâ??ve just returned from Bismarck and a tour of Coal Creek and Falkirk Mine, and letâ??s be honest â?? Iâ??m no fan of coal. Iâ??m a utility regulatory attorney, representing landowner intervenors facing utility infrastructure in their communites and their own yards.

The recent letter (â??Big Stone plans not irresponsible,â? Aug. 29) by Bruce Imsdahl, of Montana-Dakota Utilities, was needlessly defensive. Both he and Beth Goodpaster (â??Big Stone II needs a better plan,â? Aug. 22) miss important aspects of Big Stone II.

The Big Stone II coal plant has a South Dakota permit. Goodpasterâ??s team presented their CO2 case, but under South Dakota law, that wonâ??t stop the plant. For the commissionâ??s decision, Commissioner Hanson participated by phone, because he was on a European coal gasification junket sponsored by the Great Plains Institute, which is funded in part by intervenors ME3, the Izaak Walton League and the Joyce Foundation. Inexplicably, Commissioner Sahr recused himself from the later reconsideration decision. Therefore, it seems two of three commissioners may have issues that precluded voting on Big Stone.

The â??environmentalâ? intervenorsâ?? CO2 case speculated about market impacts of CO2 regulation, yet didnâ??t introduce evidence regarding the Chicago Climate Exchange emissions market. This market started in 2003, with CO2 at less than a dollar, and has risen to a present value of over $4. Itâ??s an active market developed by the Joyce Foundation, funder of the environmental intervention and funder of a nationwide effort to regulate CO2. Yes, the same party funding creation of the CO2 market is also funding GPI, which sponsors the Coal Gasification Work Group and coal gasification junkets, and is also funding intervenors and expert witnesses who donâ??t address the funderâ??s existing CO2 market. The skids are greased for Big Stone II, generation of more CO2 and expansion of the CO2 market and profits.

BSII is facilitated by transmission lines to be built under Minnesotaâ??s new laws. Imsdahl and Goodpaster may both find a 60 percent construction cost increase, coal and transport cost increase, global warming and mercury-laden fish worrisome, causing uncertainty, but the permit has been issued. Itâ??s up to Minnesota now â?? Minnesota transmission and Minnesota rates and Minnesota fish and Minnesota health impacts, and whatâ??s to stop it?

But North Dakota coal interestsâ?? focus on Big Stone II is misplaced â?? Excelsiorâ??s Mesaba coal gasification project in northern Minnesota is the more important canary for North Dakota coal, because if it goes forward, Xcel wonâ??t want a new coal plant for a long time

Andrew Borene has withdrawn from the SD 41 race and said, “I believe I am an alcoholic and am seeking treatment for my disease.” Good place to start. It’ll be a lifelong road…

And what about this SD41 race?

The question of the day: Can the DFL sit back and not select a Yellow Dog to jump in the race, and let folks get behind Julie Risser, the progressive candidate in the SD 41 race, and win this district? She’s been getting a good reception doorknocking and at events, has some good endorsements — she knows her issues, knows the district, knows they’re ready for change, and is just what they’re looking for! This is a winnable district!

Candidate Borene withdraws from SD41 race

BY HARVEY T. ROCKWOOD / SUN NEWSPAPERS

State Senate candidate Andrew Borene announced Thursday afternoon that he is withdrawing from the District 41 race and will seek treatment for alcoholism.

The DFL-endorsed candidate’s move comes in the wake of the arrest by Edina police of his wife, Britta Borene, who was taken into custody early Tuesday, Sept. 5.

“I am withdrawing from the race,” he said by phone Thursday. “I believe I am an alcoholic…. I am in the process of seeking treatment for my disease.

“I have been hurting people I love,” said Borene, who would not elaborate.

“What I would ask, as a human being, is that my wife not be punished for my disease,” he said. “I think this is a personal matter.”

Borene issued a statement Thursday afternoon announcing his withdrawal.

“Today I am formally withdrawing from the Minnesota Senate race in District 41, which includes Edina and west Bloomington,” he said in a written statement.

The statement continued:

“With the assistance of professionals, I have concluded that I am chemically dependent and will enter treatment for my alcohol dependency,” Borene said. “That dependency has hurt those whom I love, including my wife and our children.

“Recent events have convinced me that I cannot pursue my commitment to public service, make progress in recovery, while tending to the needs of my family.

“For my actions, which I deeply regret, I apologize to my amazing wife, Britta, my family, my friends’ and the citizens of District 41. While my withdrawal is necessary, I apologize also to the many good people who have stood by me, generously contributing their time and talents. I especially wish to thank for their understanding and support Congressman Jim Ramstad and Sen. Dean Johnson.”

The announcement came two days after Britta Borene was arrested in connection with an alleged domestic assault case.

Edina Police Chief Mike Siitari said the Sept. 5 incident remains under investigation. He said additional charges are possible and that Andrew Borene may also be charged with fifth-degree misdemeanor assault.

Police were sent to the Borene home just before 12:30 a.m. after Andrew Borene called 911, Siitari said.

“Mr. Borene called stating he needed help in a dispute with his wife,” Siitari said.

The couple was separated and officers took statements from each of them, he said.

“Enough evidence was developed at that time to place Mrs. Borene under arrest,” Siitari said.

Officers observed that Andrew Borene had scratches on his back, abdomen and wrist, according to Siitari. Britta Borene had no obvious injuries.

Police Department records show no similar calls to the Borene home in recent years, Siitari said.

Britta Borene was taken into custody by Edina police and booked into the Hennepin County jail just after 3 a.m. Sept. 5, according to Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department records.

She was released about 8 a.m. the same day after posting $2,400 bond, according to sheriff’s records.

Britta Borene was issued a citation for fifth-degree assault, a misdemeanor. She made an initial appearance in Hennepin District Court on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

DFL Party leaders were still considering options late Thursday but Borene’s name will remain on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.

Under state law, legislative candidates must withdraw from campaigns by July 20 in order to have their name removed from the ballot, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office.

“He will remain on the ballot but he is suspending his campaign,” said Jennifer McIntosh, communications director for the state DFL Party. “He is no longer campaigning for the District 41 seat.”

She said it is unlikely that the party will launch a write-in campaign for another DFLer.

Even so, party leaders are still considering their response, she said.

“We’ve only known about this for a matter of hours. We certainly haven’t finished” talking over options, she said.

The field for the District 41 seat includes incumbent Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, and Green Party candidate Julie Risser of Edina.