More transmission? They’re nuts!
August 19th, 2019
![](https://nocapx2020.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CapX.jpg)
I saw this today and it’s nauseating.
First there was CapX 2020 transmission (following Arrowhead transmission, which was supposed to be the be-all and end-all of transmission)(and the SW MN 345kV line, precursor to CapX 2020. CapX transmission was based on a forecasted 2.49% increase in demand, which as we know, didn’t happen.
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2019/02/Xcel-2018-Peak.jpg)
And there was the MISO 17 project MVP Portfolio:
![](https://nocapx2020.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/MVP-portfolio-map.jpg)
Tomorrow, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission is making its decision regarding the Cardinal-Hickory Creek project, the southern part of #5 above, and the LAST of the MVP projects to go through state administrative approval.
So today, this is in the STrib:
Minnesota utilities will study if the $2B CapX2020 grid improvements were enough
By Mike Hughlett Star Tribune AUGUST 19, 2019 — 3:05PM
![](https://stmedia.stimg.co/ows_156623796175084.jpg?auto=compress&crop=faces&dpr=1&w=525)
Photo: DAVID JOLESA utility worker assesses electrical power lines in south Minneapolis.
So that said, here’s Xcel Energy’s Integrated Resource Plan’s Appendix on transmission:Xcel IRP – Appendix I – Transmission & Distribution – from 20197-154051-03Download
The schedule for IRP hearings was just released, it’s in October, so there’s time to make time for it:
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2019/08/IRP-Hearings.jpg)
We know Xcel Energy gets a “handsome” rate of return for transmission capital expenditures (hence “CapX transmission), so of course they want to build more. The IRP is our time to tell them how they should get the electricity they need, whether their plans are making any sense.
How about shutting down some of those coal plants, and freeing up some capacity? How about siting solar on every rooftop, over every parking lot, putting the generation at load so we don’t need transmission? Oh, but wait, that makes too much sense, especially where a utility wants to keep control of the generation, and the expenditures, and rake in the dough.
Time to pay attention to the IRP. URP!
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2019/08/Pages-from-20186-144403-08_Map_02-1-1024x666.jpg)
Oh my… just in, a request to suspend the permitting schedule for Dodge County Wind, the Certificate of Need, the wind site permit, and to WITHDRAW the transmission route permit!
There are 3 Dodge County Wind dockets, a Certificate of Need (17-306), wind siting (17-307), and transmission (17-308). Process wise, it goes to PUC for approval, and the PUC will probably announce a comment period in all 3 dockets. Then Commission will meet, and approve the withdrawal of the transmission without prejudice, so they can refile when they have a workable plan. That withdrawal process will take some time.
That time is an issue, because I don’t see any way they can come up with a transmission plan and get it through the MISO transmission studies to get a permit and start construction by year end. Tax credit implications — they have a problem.
As to the suspension of Certificate of Need and wind siting application proceedings, I’d like to see them dismissed without prejudice also, not suspended, gumming up the works at the Commission. We shall see.
This transmission was absurd from the get-go, a 345kV line with what, a 2,200MVA capacity, for a 170 MW project? They said it was part of a regional interconnection, from the application:
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2018/07/xmsn-regional.jpg)
Oh, really? Don’t see it in the MISO MTEP. It’s not… and it’s a radial line, and you just don’t build short radial 345kV lines!
Here are Dodge County Wind’s requests for suspension and withdrawal:
“On August 9, 2019, DCW withdrew its MISO interconnection queue position no. J441, because of the significant interconnection costs associated with that queue position.”
Oh my… what does the MISO DPP Report have to say about that? Just search this report, issued July 25, 2019, for “J441.”
I figured the PUC should have that MISO report in the record:
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2019/08/Chart.jpg)
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2019/08/Chart2.jpg)
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2019/08/Chart3.jpg)
And check out the summary page on p. 149 of the 150 page pdf.
After getting the 345kV route alternatives “C” and “D” ejected, not to be considered in the FEIS, this is just the icing on the cake!!
Dodge Center Xmsn – Mission Accomplished!
Here’s some background info from just over a year ago:
Dodge County Wind info presentation
July 29th, 2018
From the very beginning, with Dodge County Concerned Citizens working hard to inform people of the project, all three dockets, and Dodge Center’s Tom Applegate going door to door and encouraging people to write comments and send photos showing how the transmission line would affect their neighborhood in Dodge Center, this public input helped call the entire project into question. With the DEIS rejecting transmission alternative routes C and D, and with the MISO interconnection study showing so many network upgrades needed at a very high cost, this project is no longer viable. The people affected by this project have had a tremendous impact.
Court says NO to asylum rule
August 4th, 2019
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2017/09/tRump_WRONG.jpg)
Remember tRump’s asylum rule, released and effective the same day?
Official release in Federal Register 7/16/2019
And the the following day:
ACLU sues on asylum rule
And now, for the Court’s Order, in the D.C. Circuit, the bottom line:
Trump rule restricting asylum seekers struck down by court
From the opinion:
Here’s the full Order:
What’s really bothering me about this is that these overbroad tRUmp pipedreams are issued, and over and over and over, each of them MUST be challenged, because if not challenged, they stand. What a waste of time and resources. Oh well. tRump shot down on this one too!
IA Side of Freeborn Wind
August 2nd, 2019
There’s a “Construction Information Session” happening Thursday, August 22, 2019 in Northwood, Iowa. Plenty of time to prepare!
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2019/08/Postcard.jpg)
Freeborn Wind, again and again
July 23rd, 2019
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2015/12/xcel_Logo.jpg)
Invenergy has sold Freeborn Wind, LLC, to Xcel Energy, well, Northern States Power Company – Minnesota. Sooooo, now they’ve asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to approve the acquisition.
![](https://legalectric.org/f/2015/08/PUC.jpg)
On or about June 14, the day of closing, Invenergy, the developer/old owner, TERMINATED 34 leases and good neighbor agreements covering over 4,470 acres of land.
What does that mean? Well, the project, and project approval, was based on 17,435 acres of leased land, and 4,470 is over 25% of the leased land. In the contested case, it was questionable whether the project had enough land, and there’s even a notation that Invenergy was working on acquiring more land, and we were told over and over again that there wasn’t enough room to make any adjustments, to move any turbines even a little bit! So now, at 75%, can they even build this?
Meanwhile, Xcel/NSPM has said they’ll be requesting a permit amendment, because they’ll be changing 32 Vesta V116 to Vesta V120, larger turbines, longer blades (needing larger 3 and 5RD setbacks) and longer blades equals more noise. They’ve said they’ll file new noise study, shadow flicker, and site plan.
In short, the project permitted December 19, 2018 and May 10, 2019, is not the same project.
Now this is NOT the same project… there are substantive, material changes… PUC doesn’t seem to care, Commerce doesn’t seem to care…
Association of Freeborn County Landowners is trying to wake up the Commission:
Xcel/NSPM has asked for approval of the acquisition, and the Commission announced a comment period, so here we go:
And read EERA’s Comment — good grief, blinders on the wrong end of the horse:
PUC will take a look at this sometime soon, but likely the NSPM amendment request will come in, IF they file it as planned, before that, as they expected to file in July. We shall see.