Category Archives: Energy
Prairie Island Nuclear Uprate – Out with a Whimper . . .
On November 7, 2012, after a long struggle where community members have challenged the safety and prudence of nuclear power expansion, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission issued an Order to Show Cause why the “uprate” at the Prairie Island Nuclear … Continue reading
Keeping and Breaking Promises for Clean Energy
These are the best of times. These are the worst of times. Take your pick. On January 18, 2012, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously voted to approve power purchase agreements for 30 megawatts of locally-owned wind on the south … Continue reading
Midtown Greenway Protected – Historic Ruling to Bury Power Lines
Last week, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) made a landmark decision to require Xcel Energy to bury new power lines. In 2009, Xcel Energy proposed to put two “Hiawatha Project” 115 kV high voltage transmission lines on 75- foot … Continue reading
More Good News Fighting Power Lines on the Midtown Greenway
The Midtown Greenway Coalition and many community groups and citizens opposing Xcel Energy’s proposal to put high voltage power lines on the Midtown Greenway have just achieved another incremental victory. Check out the Coalition web site for more details. (http://www.midtowngreenway.org/XcelEnergyGridExpansion.html) Last … Continue reading
Landowners’ Rights, Power Lines and Pipelines
Question for today: Will landowners whose property is subject to eminent domain learn about their rights before the utility land acquisition folks come with their small checkbooks and large vats of snake oil to make a first offer? The good … Continue reading