At long last, the final round of Comments on the 5+ year long rulemaking have been filed.  A five year long process to enact the changes consistent with legislation passed in 2005, 12 years ago.  WHAT!?!?!  Yes, that’s how long it’s taken.  These are rules based on the Minnesota statutes for Certificate of Need (Minn. Stat. 216B.243) and the “Power Plant Siting Act” (Minn. Stat. Ch. 216E), which is transmission routing and power plant siting.

Here are the Reply Comments, and note there are very few:

Public Intervenors – No CapX 2020, U-CAN, North Route Group & Goodhue Wind Truth – FINAL_May 31 2017

McNamasra GWT Reply_20175-132415-01

Commerce EERA Reply_20175-132345-01

ITC Midwest_Reply_20175-132421-02

OtterTail Power_Reply_20175-132275-01

Xcel Energy_Reply_20175-132417-01

Next step — on the agenda at a future Public Utilities Commission meeting, where they’ll discuss changes, hopefully we’ll have oral argument of the parties and comments from the public, and then the rules are formally released to the public for public comment, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, and then back to the Commission for approval.  Probably it will be August… given the public comment period and hearing, this will be at least a SIX YEAR PROCESS!

PUC Rules Comments due Tomorrow

January 23rd, 2013

puc-electric

Comments due TOMORROW!!!  If you want to be a part of the Rulemaking Advisory Committee, this is the time to let them know that you want to be included.  After you’ve written your comments, file in PUC Docket 12-1246 or email to: kate.kahlert@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has opened a docket for… get this:

Possible Amendments to Rules Governing Certificates of Need and Site and Route Permits for Large Electric Power Plants and High-Voltage Transmission Lines, Minnesota Rules, Chapters 7849 and 7850; and to Rules Governing Notice Plan Requirements for High-Voltage Transmission Lines, Minnesota Rules, part 7829.2550; Revisor’s ID Number R-04151; PUC Docket No. E,ET,IP-999/R-12-1246.

This is similar to the OAH “Possible” rulemaking, where they’re on a fishing expedition, for what I have not a clue, whether it’s to get ideas, or find out what not to include or identify the usual suspects, very hard to tell, and I couldn’t get any information out of Bret Eknes at the PPSA Annual Hearing.  The notice states “The Commission has not yet drafted the possible rule amendments.”

Here’s the notice — note they do say that part of this is to “maximize citizen participation” so let’s hold them to it:

Request for Comments – “Possible” Amendments to Rules PUC Docket 12-1246

Possible?  Ummmmm, right… well, it’s about time. Here’s the PUC’s Rulemaking site (you can also go to eDockets, search for 12-1246):

I’d put in a rulemaking Petition two years ago tomorrow…

Overland Petition 2010 PPSA Annual Hearing, filed January 2011

…and they said they wanted it broken down.  OK, sure, whatever, so I did.  Thus far I’ve filed the OAH ones, and haven’t gotten around to doing that yet.  SO, got to work today and ground out these comments based on the previously filed ones, you can use these for ideas, steal away!

NoCapX & U-CAN Comments – Jan 23, 2013

Once more with feeling, they’re due tomorrow.