Impact of COVID on energy projects
March 30th, 2020
Last month, both Invenergy and NextEra had issued Notice of Force Majure:
Solar Force Majeure in WI – Coronavirus February 26th, 2020
Then NextEra cancelled its notice, and apparently plans to move forward with the Two Creeks project.
Here’s a recent industry blurb about the impacts, mentioning Badger Hollow solar and the rush to get projects in the ground before the tax credit and subsidies deadline, and trying to get perks in the COVID relief bill:
U.S. wind, solar industries plead for “tweaks” to coronavirus stimulus to keep projects alive
From the article:
Badger Hollow Solar in the news!
December 30th, 2018
In today’s paper:
Rural Wisconsin county split on solar energy project that would be among largest in nation
From the article, an important part, because the PSC does not file the “Environmental Assessment” when issuing their “Preliminary Determination” letter! People have to ASK for the EA, and then, it takes how long to get it? COMMENTS ARE DUE JANUARY 7 ON ADEQUACY OF EA AND WHETHER EIS IS NEEDED. Here’s the Preliminary Determination (for both dockets) stating no EIS is necessary, and the Environmental Assessment which even as PSC staff document points out significant impacts:
PSC_PreliminaryDetermination_100
9697-CE-100_101 EA Appendix A v1_0
A snippet from the article:
MGE/WPSC were LOSERS in WI yesterday
December 21st, 2018
Madison Gas & Electric and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, the Applicants in a “Buy/Sell” (BS!) docket (CLICK HERE for 5-BS-228) for part of the Badger Solar project (and Two Creeks solar too) have been resisting at every opportunity, trying to keep Jewell Jinkins Intervenors from Intervening. It gets more hilarious as we go through this crap.
First from the Applicants:
So our Reply:
Jewell Jinkins Intervenors_228_Reply to Applicants’ Response
The Administrative Law Judge granted our Intervention in technicolor:
So the Applicants’ looked for other ways to keep us out of the docket, throwing things at the wall to see what sticks:
So our Reply to both:
The Applicants just couldn’t stop:
So here’s our Reply to their Response:
Jewell Jinkins_228_Response 2 Reply 2 Response 2 Motion Protective Order
It was on the PSC agenda yesterday, and they denied the complaint in less than 30 seconds, with no discussion.
Do you think the Applicants will get the hint? We shall see. I have my doubts.
WI Petition for Rulemaking – Solar siting rules are needed
December 7th, 2018
Photo of DOE project in Alamosa, under 30 MW
There’s a 300MW solar project proposed for southern Wisconsin, in Iowa County. Thing is, as with Minnesota and large wind (PUC denies Reconsideration re: Wind Rulemaking), there are no siting rules for solar in Wisconsin! Really, no rules! Typically thus far, solar projects are 2-10 MW. This one proposed is 300MW! Central station power to put it mildly.
Not only are there no siting rules, but there is no Environmental Impact Statement required for a project covering 3,500 acres!
WHAT?!?!
So on behalf of Jewell Jinkins Intervenors, I’ve just filed this Petition for Rulemaking to get them going on solar rules.
Petition for Rulemaking_JJI_Solar_FINAL_Signed
We shall see what, if anything, they do.
Lots of filing in Wisconsin
November 20th, 2018
Apparently Invenergy doesn’t like the idea that we’re intervening in their Wisconsin dockets. I guess after Freeborn Wind, it’s not hard to understand why.
Intervention in Badger Hollow HUGE 300 MW solar project docket — approved by the Administrative Law Judge (Docket 9697-CE-100):
And then the related dockets, the transmission line and the acquisition docket, appropriately known as the BS docket, our intervention, their objection, and our response. The transmission docket (Docket 9697-CE-101):
Jewell Jinkins_101_Intervention_FINAL
9697-CE-101 Badger Hollow – Response to Request for Intervention (Objection!)
And the acquisition BS docket (Docket 5-BS-228):
Jewell Jinkins_228_Intervention_CORRECTED
Oh, and the Cardinal Hickory Creek 345 kV Transmission Line! Docket 5-CE-146.
Jewell Jinkins Intervenors_Cardinal-Hickory Creek_Intervention
To look up any of these dockets, go to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s Search site, and plug in the numbers.
Meanwhile, we’re waiting on the Minnesota Commission meeting on Reconsideration for our Rulemaking Petition, and waiting on two orders, project and transmission, for Freeborn Wind.
And around all these filings, I’ve been to band practice, made wild rice and garbanzo salad, and I hear a Ferndale Market turkey calling…
What a long week it’s been! WHAT? Tuesday?!?! No, really?!?!