CETF’s CapX2020 challenge covered by Winona Daily News and LaCrosse Tribune
Posted on | June 25, 2009 | No Comments
The Winona Daily News and the LaCrosse Tribune have articles on CETF’s legal challenge of CapX2020.
See Winona Daily News: La Crescent group formalizes CapX2020 challenge or archived here.
See LaCrosse Tribune: Federal utilities group to begin review of CapX2020 project or archived here.
CITIZENS GROUP FORMALLY CHALLENGES DECISION ON CAPX2020 POWERLINE NEED AND ENCOURAGES MN & WI RESIDENTS TO ATTEND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SCOPING MEETINGS THIS WEEK
Posted on | June 22, 2009 | No Comments
Citizens Energy Task Force (CETF) has officially challenged The Certificate of Need (CON) decision for the CapX2020 project: On June 12, 2009, Citizens Energy Task Force (www.cetf.us) submitted an official petition* to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), requesting reconsideration of their approval of the La Crosse Line based upon a number of legal errors, including violation of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act, the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act, Certificate of need law and rules pertaining to power line prohibition areas. Additionally, the US Fish & Wildlife Service has written a letter to CapX, stating that it would not allow for expansion of the existing rights of way across the Mississippi River located at Alma, WI, Winona, MN and La Crescent/La Crosse, WI.
Read the rest HERE. More background information is HERE.
Power line project gathering opposition (Winona Post)
Posted on | June 10, 2009 | No Comments
Opponents of a $2 billion power line project that would cut through Southeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin met Monday in Wilson Township, gearing up to appeal a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) certificate issued for the project.
Read the rest at The Winona Post or archived here.
please donate now!
Posted on | May 6, 2009 | No Comments
Although the Minnesota PUC decided in mid-April that the CapX2020 Hampton to LaCrosse lines are needed, we believe there are good legal arguments to overturn their ruling in court. But we must raise money to pay our attorney to argue the case for us. At stake is protection of the Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge and other areas from negative wildlife, ecosystems, tourism and human impacts. If we do not raise the money, we cannot move forward on this case. Ask yourself, “If not me, then who?” and please, DONATE NOW!
Making Progress On Exception Repeal for High Voltage Transmission Lines
Posted on | May 1, 2009 | No Comments
On Wednesday, April 29, Rep. David Bly (D) from Northfield thought his efforts to get an amendment (to repeal the eminent domain exceptions) attached to a bill in the House of Reps. was a failed effort. But he decided to give it one last try. He changed the amendment to say only large high voltage transmission lines do not get the exceptions and was successful in attaching it to the Energy Policy bill in the house. And it passed!
The Energy Policy bill will now go to a conference committee. So the next step is to contact members of the Energy Conference Committee and let them know that this amendment is supported and should be in the final bill. The House and Senate members have not been determined yet but as soon as they are, we will post the names so you know who to contact.
Please take time to thank Rep. Bly for his continued hard work and tenacity in seeing this bill through some very difficult times. He has truly been a representative for both his constituents and his non-constitutents.
David Morris: If it’s citizens vs. utilities, utilities win
Posted on | April 27, 2009 | No Comments
David Morris of ILSR gets it right in the Star Tribune. See the comments too. If the Star Tribune link stops working, there is a copy of the article archived here.
PUC approves CapX2020 Certificate of Need
Posted on | April 19, 2009 | No Comments
No real surprise in the decision or most of the coverage.
- State approves massive power line project, MPR
- $1.7 billion power line project crisscrossing Minnesota is OK’d, Pioneer Press
- MN regulators OK power line project, AP
Finance and Commerce, however, covered CETF’s position prominently.
CapX opposition coverage by MPR, Winona Post, St. Paul Pioneer Press
Posted on | April 17, 2009 | No Comments
Good stuff. Check it out.
- Minnesota Public Radio piece by Sea Stachura at mpr.org with audio or saved here in case the mpr.org link stops working.
- Winona Post piece by Sarah Elmquist at WinonaPost.com or saved here.
- St. Paul Pioneer Press piece by Leslie Brooks Suzukamo at twincities.com or saved here.
LaCrosse Tribune: Act Now to Affect CapX2020 Decision
Posted on | April 13, 2009 | No Comments
Click here to read CETF member Jeremy Chipps’ guest column in the LaCrosse Tribune.
See you in St. Paul!
Posted on | April 13, 2009 | No Comments
It’s this Wednesday and Thursday, April 15 and 16. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is holding hearings on the CapX2020 Certificate of Need, and you need to be there to represent your interests! Hearings start at 9:30. Click HERE for exact location and other details, and HERE and HERE for more background information. The CapX2020 project is just the proverbial foot in the door, the camel’s nose in the tent, the slippery slope… you get the idea. Stop this thing while you have a chance. See you in St. Paul on Wednesday and Thursday!
