How can this be, it was “last week” already? Anyway, yes, meetings were had, comments were made, and now we’ve got to put it all in writing and send to the federal Dept. of Energy to be tossed into the hopper for consideration of the scope of their Environmental Impact Statement.
Send your comments, by August 14 (changed to 15?) to:
Julie Ann Smith Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20) U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue SW. Washington, DC 20585 Via email: Juliea.Smith@hq.doe.gov
The things that I’m particularly concerned be addressed are:
- Alternatives to WHAT? This is a purely economic project, there’s a 250 MW Power Purchase Agreement and a contractual obligation, but that doesn’t translate into “need” for a mega-huge High Voltage Transmission Line.
- Segmentation — this is part of a much larger project, and the full package must be considered.
- The full capacity of this project must be considered and a range of capacity for calculation of the potential EMF levels. Thus is a tri-bundled 500 kV line. For the NEPA review, look at the line specifications, configuration, and address a range of capacity from the claimed 750 MW to the emergency rating of the line, likely 5,000+ MVA.
- Does this require an eagle take permit? Consider potential for bird deaths, and the Migratory Bird Protection Act.
- Address system alternatives, particularly options for electricity at the receiving ends (looks like Michigan any way you get there!).
- Consider current corridors, and include map of all transmission lines in study area 69 kV and above.
- Consider corridor and project fatigue, particularly how many corridors can a person stand! Very important because in this area many have multiple corridors on their land, and many have had other projects hanging over their heads for years.
- Consider impact on real estate values, and consider impacts such as loss of marketability, because the minute a project like this is noticed, the property is impossible to market. Any opportunity to sell is lost when the potential project is disclosed, as it MUST be, to potential buyers.
- Consider the range of affected parties. It looks like notice is being provided to only those directly affected or directly adjacent, and not close residents and landowners, who should be getting notice.
- The FEIS must be filed in the state’s record prior to the public hearing and evidentiary hearing.
Again, write up your comments and send, prominently noting the DOE Docket Number, PP-398 and DOE/EIS 0499, and Minnesota PUC Dockets 14-21 (Routing docket) or 12-1163 (Certificate of Need) and send to:
Julie Ann Smith Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20) U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue SW. Washington, DC 20585 Via email: Juliea.Smith@hq.doe.gov