Minnesota DOT looking for your input
July 25th, 2017
The DOT says it wants to hear from us, so let’s not disappoint:
Take this short 10 minute survey
There have been a number of issues I’ve worked on that the DOT’s been involved in, particularly transmission and silica sand transport, and a noteworthy project here that thankfully did not go forward was Zip Rail. These days, we’ve also got the Hwy. 63 bridge over the Mississippi River, and construction has started. The night view of what they’re building:
They’re also working on a 2nd passenger rail train to and from Chicago, which would directly serve Red Wing! YES!
Let the DOT know what’s important to you, those little things like BRIDGE REPAIR, and maintenance. Road work must be done, and now we’ve got the budget to get to the many things that were neglected during the Pawlenty era. Expect delays, that’s the price we have to pay!
DOT considers adding passenger train to Chicago
July 20th, 2017
RE: PURPOSE AND NEED MEETINGS — CORRECTION FROM DOT:
CORRECTION: Purpose and Need Statement now available for proposed Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Intercity Passenger Rail Service
Our mistake! We gave you the wrong public information meeting dates in yesterday’s update. Wisconsin’s meeting is actually first. Correct dates are:
- Sept. 6 at the La Crosse County Administrative Center in Wisconsin
- Sept. 7 at St. Paul’s Union Depot
We wouldn’t want you to miss these important public meetings. Sorry for the confusion.
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There’s been a lot of bruhaha here about the “Zip Rail,” but that’s now “Zip” since the DOT suspended “work” on that project. What’s new is that there’s a specific initiative by the DOT now for adding a 2nd daily passenger train to and from the Twin Cities to Chicago, serving multiple points in between. THIS IS NOT A HIGH SPEED RAIL PROPOSAL, it’s adding another passenger train on the eastern end of the Empire Builder route.
Here’s Amtrak’s 2015 feasibility report (PDF)
And the reports this rail group has generated with DOT:
- Purpose and Need Statement – July 2017 (PDF)
- Second train feasibility study report (PDF)
- Second train feasibility study executive summary and recommendations (PDF)
- Exhibit 2 – station stops and alternate routes (PDF)
- Exhibit 3 – corridor photos set 1 (PDF)
- Exhibit 3 – corridor photos set 2 (PDF)
Meetings seem to be held monthly, but there’s no notice of when the next meeting is on the e“meetings” page, and there are no details of the meetings, agenda, minutes, presentations, etc. See future forum meetings. HA! They’re missing PAST meeting!
Look at the “Public Engagement” and tell me if you see anything about the public, and look at “Membership/Members” and tell me if you see anything other than corporations, governmental and lobbying organizations — WHERE’S THE PUBLIC?
Here’s the “Put Me On The List” link, copied from their page: contact the MnDOT Project Managers or Mary McFarland, MnDOT Communications.
Have at it, and keep an eye out for a Fall 2017 public meeting where the Purpose and Need Statement – July 2017 (PDF) will be presented and discussed (it does not note a formal comment period).
Landowner comments on Freeborn Wind Project
July 14th, 2017
Here are Comments filed on behalf of Association of Freeborn County Landowners:
Association of Freeborn CountyLandowners_Petition & Initial Comments – Filed July 6, 2017
Association of Freeborn County Landowners — Add to Service List
Process Issue – Timing of Request for Contested Case
Reply CommentsCompleteness – Association of Freeborn County Landowners
What do the Benson turkey shit burning plant, the HERC garbage burner, and a couple other plants have in common? The have Power Purchase Agreements that Xcel wants to get out of or modify in its favor. Funny how that works. These things were bad from the get to, make no economic sense except to those selling what little power is generated. Now, it appears that Xcel Energy (and therefore us, Xcel’s customers), is tired of being screwed and are not going to take it anymore!
What’s Xcel Energy’s view of these Petitions? To save money, of course, and it looks to be about $53.1 million annually.
These Petitions were filed just now by Xcel Energy:
With a $20 million kicker to the City of Benson, here’s what Xcel Energy plans to do, including demolition of the plant:
Next up? The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) garbage burner:
The plan for HERC? Cut the PPA amount, by how much, we don’t know, it’s all “PROTECTED DATA” and top secret:
What does that mean for Hennepin County? The HERC garbage burner has never been a money maker, and has always been a money loser. So now what? Does it make any sense to keep it open, or is it time to shut it down? Allow me to rephrase… is there any reason to keep it open? Seems like this is a convenient time to close it. Neighbors Against The Burner, are you listening?
Next up? Pine Bend, another “waste-to-energy” garbage burner, and another PPA that Xcel Energy wants to terminate:
And about the Sherco site and moving part of Northern Metals operation to the Sherco site, and that’s not all they want to do:
The point of this Sherco Petition?
And last but not least, a sale of assets to Flint Hills:
