Another Freeborn last minute filing! And AFCL response
September 19th, 2018
Freeborn Wind at the PUC tomorrow.
Watch on line HERE: Live Webcast
ANOTHER LATE FILING!!! This last minute flurry is indicative of their desperation! So I guess it’s a good thing, but hey, I’ve got to get ready for the Wind Rulemaking docket that I’ve been trying to get before the Commission for how many years? Oh well… one thing at a time…
Freeborn Wind’s “Late Filed — Proposed Special Conditions Related to Noise _20189-146486-01
And our response just filed:
Oh yeah, we’re going to have fun at the PUC tomorrow. Watch on line HERE: Live Webcast
And background, yesterday and day before:
AFCL reply to Freeborn Wind’s Motion to Exclude
Freeborn Wind files Motion to Exclude!!
All in a day’s work… AFCL rocks!
July 16th, 2018
WOW! Who knew this many people would turn out, well, after all, it is Association of Freeborn County Landowners, talk about an active, thriving bunch! What an incredible job of organizing, lining up live auction donations, oh, and making pudding shots… ja, I’m an old fart, jello shots bring back memories, but pudding? This group has shown up, and worked together to be heard — each and every one of you has made the difference in this groundbreaking challenge to Freeborn Wind’s application. Keep up the good work! And thank you!!!
And of course, the satellite office:
This morning, pelicans on the lake! How cool is that! This is the view out the office window:
And it took 2+ years, but I think I’ve finally got the camper kitchen figured out. Before last trip added the Camp Chef stove, and this trip, added a table for the stove, and Alan made leg extensions for the prep table, and voila, a workable kitchen! Everything in its place and a place for everything.
p.s. phone signal is great!
Oh yeah, it’s ramping up. Freeborn Wind hearing soon!
February 9th, 2018
Freeborn Wind Project is ramping up.
Photo taken by moi. This is the bald eagle that flew up from the 120th St. ditch as I approached the Hansen home in the Freeborn Wind permit footprint. There’s a nest just a bit to the west, just south of 120th. Guess they don’t want me posting any more eagle photos on their fb page:
And in the news:
Albert Lea City Council Hears Economic Benefits Freeborn Wind Farm
Wind Farm Proposal in Freeborn County
Today, the Department of Natural Resources filed a Motion to Quash so its employees wouldn’t have to appear, filed February 9 regarding Subpoenas that were served December 11 and 18, 2017. Roughly two months ago. After a conversation with DNR Counsel Sherry Enzler where she didn’t want her people sitting around all day so we agreed to a 3 p.m. time, which would need to be locked in with the judge. Now this. Good grief. But our conversation that day was so bizarre that I memorialized it with a letter to the judge, though not in technicolor.
OK, fine, whatever… here we go!
AFCL Scoping Comments filed today
January 3rd, 2018
Map of transmission — click for larger view
Just filed, Association of Freeborn Landowner Scoping Comments for the Environmental Assessment for the transmission line for the Freeborn Wind Energy wind project:
And tomorrow, on the wind project side, the Commission is going to make decision on whether to issue the Draft Site Permit — we’re number 7 on the agenda:
|
Thursday, January 4, 2018, 9:30am |
|---|---|
| Where | Large Hearing Room 121 7th Place E, Suite 350 St. Paul, MN 55101 |
| Event Type | Agenda |
| Industry | Electric, Energy Facilities, Telecom |
| Details |
Letter in Albert Lea Tribune re: Freeborn Wind Farm
December 16th, 2017
On Tuesday, Commerce is having a wind project transmission scoping meeting (MPUC Docket 17-322):
6 p.m. on December 19, 2017
Room 124
Riverland Community College
Albert Lea, MN
The Albert Lea Tribune printed my Letter to the Editor about the Freeborn Wind Farm transmission scoping meeting:
Letter: Meeting on new wind farm is planned next week
At 6 p.m. Dec. 19 in Room 124 at Riverland Community College, the Minnesota Department of Commerce is holding a public comment and scoping meeting for the transmission line designed to serve the Freeborn Wind project. This is the opportunity for you to raise any questions and concerns about what issues should be investigated and reviewed in the Department of Commerce’s environmental review. This includes all of the things you know about the area, and any alternatives that should be in the mix.
Minnesota has a policy of non-proliferation of transmission corridors, which means that as a matter of law, transmission should be routed using existing corridors, such as transmission lines already in place or road right of way. This line, instead, is proposed to traverse cross country. That’s not non-proliferation.
Another problem is that Freeborn Wind developers claim they have land rights to all land needed for this transmission line, and then state that they’ll use eminent domain if they don’t. Well, which is it? And it’s troubling, because only public service corporations have the power of eminent domain, but Freeborn is a LLC, not a public service corporation. To make things more complicated, need has not been demonstrated, and there is no certificate of need. Need is a requirement for use of eminent domain. What’s their basis for saying they can use eminent domain?
This is yet another overreach by the developers — more infrastructure, which would forever change the landscape of this community. Dec. 19 at Riverland College — now is the time to speak up!
Carol A. Overland
Attorney for Association of Freeborn County Landowners