Encourage public participation? Yeah, right…
February 10th, 2016
Here we go, thanks to Xcel Energy and Office of Administrative Hearings, based on the bias and double standards for participation and obstructions to intervention in the latest Xcel Energy rate case (PUC Docket GR-15-826).
Yes, Intervention in the rate case denied again:
And I quote:
Further, the Petition states that purposes for which No CapX 2020 was “specifically formed” (fn omitted) was to participate in dockets which are now closed, raising the question of why No CapX 2020 continues to exist.
H-E-L-L-O?!?!?! This rate case docket is all about shifting the CapX 2020 and MISO MVP 17 project portfolio transmission costs from one scheme to another. I specifically cited all the references to CapX 2020, MISO MVP, and transmission.
Here’s what has gone before…
Intervention Petition II
Intervention Petition I
20161-117574-01_Order Denying Intervention Petition 1
No CapX 2020_Response to Xcel’s Objection
20161-116957-02_Xcel’s Objection to Intervention
NoCapX 2020 and Carol A. Overland_Intervention Petition Packet
And in a parallel track, note the double standard in pleading.
- Note that Xcel has objected only to the Overland/No CapX 2020 intervention.
- Note that Xcel has not objected to those who participated in the “e21 Initiative” which is the basis for this rate case “multi-year rate plan” and transmission shift.
- Note how little the other “intervenors” say.
- Note they do not state their interests.
- Note they do not state how their interests are different from general ratepayers.
- Note they do not state how their interests will not be represented by OAG and Commerce.
OAH has approved Interventions of “The Commercial Group,” “Suburban Rate Authority,” and “City of Mineapolis.” I’m sure the approval of “Clean Energy Organizations” will soon follow, despite the lack of specific pleading and the apparent conflict with one “attorney” representing so many organizations that either have differing positions and interests, or which are adequately represented by other organizations and don’t need to intervene… funny how this double standard works…
Read the Petitions:
Petition to Intervene of the Commercial Group
Petition to Intervene of Suburban Rate Authority
Petition to Intervene 0f City of Minneapolis
Check out each of these petitions. Look at the pleading, what’s stated, and as importantly, what is NOT stated. What are their interests? How are the “interests” different than general ratepayers in their class? How are their interests not represented by Office of Attorney General and/or MN Dept. of Commerce?
So what to do? Participating in the public hearing is not sufficient, and if that’s the limited offering, well, there’s no Discovery for a public participant. What’s next? Fight for the privilege of an unfunded intervention, as if there’s nothing else to do? The issues raised by Overland/No CapX 2020 will not be addressed otherwise. And thos overt quashing of participation is not consistent with the “public” in “Public Utilities Commission” and the Commission’s mandate.
Meanwhile, FERC just denied the 2010 Petition for Intervention too in the case regarding the cost allocation for these CapX and MISO MVP projects, yes, that took them 5 1/2 years to do, so why now? Check this out:
Odd that should come up now… naaaah, not really.
Transmission in, through and beyond the Chisago Substation
March 23rd, 2009
How much can we take??? As if the Chisago Project wasn’t enough… here we go again…
The upcoming MISO list of transmission projects proposed has the following three items of interest to those in the Chisago area:
- Builds 345 kV circuit from Sherbourne County Station to Chisago County Station in Minnesota
- Builds 345 kV circuit from Hampton Corner Station to Chisago County Station in Minnesota
- Build 345 kV circuit from Chisago County Station in Minnesota to Longwood Station in Wisconsin
Here’s the short version:
AAAAAAAAAAAGH! I’ve got this tune floating through my brain… the hook line, “how can a poor man stand such times and live…”
Thanks to the little eagle-eyed birdie who sent this.
