Xcel Energy’s IRP “Stakeholder” meeting
February 10th, 2015
Today is the Xcel Energy “stakeholder” meeting for “stakeholders” at the PUC. For the IRP docket, CLICK HERE and search for PUC Docket 15-21.
Here are their scenarios:
Regulatory process and timeline. January 2 filing, 900 pages, and today between that filing and March 16, 2015 filing. That March 16 filing will be next piece and will complete filing of plan to Commission, then forward with Information Requests and stakeholder meetings, and then PUC decision within next year or so, depending on what’s happening in stakeholder process. Three components:
1) CAPCON Order (capacity acquisition process)
- Aurora Solar
- Calpine combine cycle expension
- Black Dog 6 Natural gas
2) Increase small solar forecast
3) Sherco Retirement Scenario
- Sherco 1 & 2 retirement in 2020
- Sherco 1 retirement in 2020, Sherco 2 retirement in 2023 (based on capacity acquisition process, retirement, etc. scheduling)
For questions about the IRP, contact Jim Alders james.r.alders@xcelenergy.com
This is on the heels of last night’s meeting of “Citizens League Electric Energy” group. From the Citizens League site:
- Read the Electrical Energy Phase I Report
- Read the Electrical Energy Phase 2 Report
And notes from committee meetings:
The January 26 meeting isn’t posted, but I scanned them in and will post later. They had a charge of the “committee” in the Phase 2 Report to support Xcel Energy’s “e21 Initiative” below:
That charge contained this specific direction:
… the Citizens League Study Committee will be asked to draft both a statement and legislation to direct the Public Utilities [Commission] to convene this public dialogue with the support of external stakeholder efforts.
So we shouldn’t have been surprised… That charge was pretty much fulfilled and presented to the group last night, BUT the good news is that in addition to Alan and my objections to that endorsement of the “e21 Initiative,” there were several long-time Citizens League members who objected to the way that this was done and the endorsement of the e21 Initiative. (I’ll insert the draft when I get back)
Short version, the Draft was soundly rejected. WHEW!
And for those concerned about this e21 Initiative, Intervene!!! Yes, Citizen’s League, that’s something YOU can do!
Just filed Petition for Intervention in Xcel’s e21 Docket
February 4th, 2015
Just filed Petition for Intervention in Xcel’s e21 Docket
February 4th, 2015
Yes, I’ve filed this under “Energy” “Disaster” because it’s a train wreck of a proposal, and I cannot believe people would buy into this… or sell out into this. What, you say? e21!
In December, Xcel filed this, and I swear, this was the heading:
REQUEST FOR PLANNING MEETING AND DIALOGUE ROADMAP FOR SUPPORTING THE e21 INITIATIVE
“Roadmap for SUPPORTING?” Really…
So what is it? It’s a lot of whining about how hard it is to be a utility and that things are changing. Ummmmm… yeah. As if Xcel didn’t know that?
It feels to me like it’s another whack at “restructuring,” a/k/a deregulation, and a “we’re too big to fail” argument. And as before with “restructuring,” everyone’s getting in line, jumping on the bandwagon.
Listen to this recommendation:
(J)1. Encourage the use of, and give additional weight to, settlement agreements among parties, as long as the Commission determines that the agreements are in the public interest.
Really…
And now that we’ve permitted and built all this excess transmission capacity, they’re whining about under-utilization… can you believe it? Check this recommendation:
(N) Identify and develop opportunities to reduce customer costs by improving overall grid efficiency. In Minnesota, the total electric system utilization is approximately 55 percent (average demand divided by peak demand), thus providing an opportunity to reduce system costs by better utilizing existing system assets (e.g., generation, wires, etc.).
This sounds like the best opening to get into the CapX and MVP dockets and get them revoked. Give me a break…
So I just filed this, we’re gonna do what we can:
Why file for intervention? Well, this thing is all about stakeholders, and argues that, hey, look, all the stakeholders agree so just do it. Ummmm… right… and just who are the stakeholders? Those who have made those agreements with them in the past that got us right where we are today, DOH! What a fine mess you’ve gotten us into… let’s not do it yet again!
A few of transmission’s paid shills
February 4th, 2015
How many of these does it take to buy support for these transmission projects ripping across the Midwest? Not all that many…
For Center for Rural Affairs, “Clean Energy” means “transmission.” Look at their site:
And of course Wind on the Wires has always been all about transmission.
So here’s an update on just a few of transmission’s shills from the McKnight Foundation Climate and Energy grants page, and note, this is JUST 2014:
Center for Rural Affairs
Lyons NE
to engage local communities in establishing environmentally responsible siting for clean energy transmission in Wisconsin and Iowa, and to co-support the RE-AMP Rural Communities Caucus leader and staff coordinator
Program Area: Midwest Climate & EnergyYear Approved: 2014Grant Amount: $150,000
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Clean Wisconsin, Inc.
Madison WI
for general operating support
Program Area: Midwest Climate & EnergyYear Approved: 2012Grant Amount: $75,000++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fresh Energy
St. Paul MN
to expand Midwest Energy News’ reporting on Minnesota’s transition to a clean energy economy
Program Area: Midwest Climate & EnergyYear Approved: 2014Grant Amount: $75,000to support collaboration on Minnesota energy policy communications
Program Area: Midwest Climate & EnergyYear Approved: 2011Grant Amount: $50,000+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
RENEW Wisconsin, Inc.
Madison WI
to support the expansion of Midwest wind power through clean energy transmission
Program Area: Midwest Climate & EnergyYear Approved: 2014Grant Amount: $20,000+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rockefeller Family Fund, Inc.
New York NY
to support RE-AMP efforts to promote policies that combat global warming
Program Area: Midwest Climate & EnergyYear Approved: 2013Grant Amount: $5,000,000to support RE-AMP efforts to promote policies that combat global warming
Program Area: Midwest Climate & EnergyYear Approved: 2010Grant Amount: $4,225,000to support RE-AMP efforts to promote policies that combat global warming
Program Area: Midwest Climate & EnergyYear Approved: 2008Grant Amount: $2,000,000+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Wind on the Wires
St. Paul MN
to support work on Midwest transmission policy and planning
Program Area: Midwest Climate & EnergyYear Approved: 2014Grant Amount: $250,000