CapX 2020 - Media Coverage and Related Other Resources

See also: CapX 2020 Background - Archive of Info Requests - Regulatory Filings

This Page is No Longer Updated

For updated CapX 2020 Media Coverage, head over to the New Rules Project.

Print, Audio and Video Media Coverage of CapX 2020 Issue

Print Media

• Wisconsin rules CapX 2020 app incomplete - Winona Post, February 9, 2011
• Public Service Commission says CapX2020 application incomplete- WKBT, February 8, 2011
• Wisconsin Regulators say Hampton-La Crosse Line application is Incomplete - NoCapX 2020, February 8, 2011
• Power line report to be released in March - Winona Daily News, February 3, 2011
• CapX2020 looks for Wisconsin okay on high-voltage route - Winona Post, January 9, 2011
• Utilities fielding $2B in projects for 2011 - Finance and Commerce, January 7, 2011
• Proposal would send high-voltage lines through Buffalo, Trempealeau counties - Winona Daily News, January 6, 2011
• Opponents speaking out about new proposed High Voltage Power line to La Crosse - WKBT, July 27, 2010
• Minnesota Court of Appeals: Judges Rule in Favor of CapX2020 Power LIne Proponents - CETF Release, June 8, 2010
• Utilities seek delay in transmission line buildout, citing uncertainty over their share of cost burden - Finance and Commerce, May 29, 2010
• Utilities want big Minnesota power line delayed - Star Tribune, May 27, 2010
• CapX2020 High Voltage Power Line Project Loses Energy: Utilities Request Start Date Delay For Brookings To Hampton Line - Citizens groups continue to question the need and await court decision - CETF Release, May 24, 2010
• Citizens speak up at CAPX 2020 meeting - WXOW, May 4, 2010
• Mammoth high-voltage line alarms residents - Star Tribune, April 11, 2010
• POWERING UP: Wiring the state for the next generation - Star Tribune, April 11, 2010
• Appeals court to hear from citizens' group opposed to CapX2020 transmission lines, Minnesota Public Radio, March 17, 2010
• Minnesota Court of Appeals WIll Hear Challenge to CapX2020 High Voltage Power Lines on March 17 - CETF Release, March 15, 2010
• Capx2020 Utilities Announce River Crossing Through Wildlife Refuge - Citizens Group Challenges Need For High Voltage Power Line - CETF Release, January 22, 2010
• Alma preferred route for power line crossing - Winona Post, January 20, 2010
• Magnetic field issue draws controversy - Pioneer Presss, December 16, 2009
• High Voltage Power Line Magnetic Fields Linked To Childhood Leukemia —Distance From Homes Needed To Protect Public Health (Univ. Of New York Public Health Director To Testify On Capx2020 Power Lines) – CETF Release, December 15, 2009
• Big Stone Ii Coal Plant Cancellation Weakens Need For Capx2020 High Voltage Project - CETF Release, November 3, 2009
• Citizens Energy Task Force's Appeal Clears First Hurdle - CETF Release, October 16, 2009
• Transmission For Local, Distributed Electric Generators Much Cheaper Than Conventional Transmission Development, Finds New Minnesota Utility Study - NAWO Release, September 21, 2009
• CapX2020 says Otter Tail opt out okay - Winona Post, September 20, 2009
• Citizens Energy Task Force Appeals Decision By MN Public Utilities Commission On Need For Capx2020 High Voltage Project - CETF Release, September 10, 2009
• Group challenging plans for three high-voltage lines across Minnesota - Minnesota Public Radio, September 9, 2009
• Demand for electricity sputters and bills may fall - AP, September 5, 2009
• Is it Alma? Or will it follow Hwy 52/I-90 - Winona Post, August 30, 2009
• Utilities pick Alma crossing for power line - LaCrosse Tribune, August 28, 2009
• Area residents learn more about CapX2020 high-voltage power line project - WKBT and WXOW, August 27, 2009
• Town hall meeting on CapX 2020 power line project Aug. 27 - Winona Post, August 19, 2009
• Landowners upset about CapX2020 prospects - Houston County News, August 12, 2009
• Proposed power line upsets Houston County landowner - La Crosse Tribune, August 6, 2009
• Proposed CAPX2020 route upsets landowner - Winona Daily News, August 6, 2009
• Group considers appeal over transmission lines - St. Paul Pioneer Press, July 14, 2009
• La Crescent group formalizes CapX2020 challenge - Houston County News, July 2, 2009
• Feds make an entrance into CapX2020 - Houston County News, July 1, 2009
• Area folks not happy about CapX2020 project - Winona Post, July 1, 2009
• 10 East Coast Governors Rip Federal Transmission Legislation - On May 4th, 2009, Governors from 10 East Coast states sent a sign-on letter opposing the current federal bills to expedite transmission line planning and siting. These Governors don't wany midwest wind, they want to generate renewable energy closer to home - posted June 24, 2009
• Federal utilities group to begin review of CapX2020 project - La Crosse Tribune, June 24, 2009
• La Crescent group formalizes CapX2020 challenge - Winona Daily News, June 24, 2009
• Citizens Group Formally Challenges Decision On Capx2020 Power Line Need And Encourages MN & WI Residents To Attend Environmental Impact Scoping Meetings This Week – CETF Release, June 19, 2009  [also see this Summary of CETF Petition for Reconsideration of PUC's CapX Decision]
• Power line project gathering opposition - Winona Daily News, June 10, 2009
• Group opposes power line decision, considers appealing - La Crosse Tribune, April 25, 2009
• Power line foes may appeal CAPX2020 ruling - Winona Daily News, April 25, 2009
• If it's citizens vs. utilities, utilities win - by David Morris, Star Tribune, April 23, 2009
• New power lines OKed - Wind energy advocates say renewable condition a hollow promise - Winona Daily News, April 19, 2009
• CapX approval for $1.7 billion utilities project sparks debate - Finance and Commerce, April 18, 2009
• Utility Commission Approves Capx 2020 Power Line Despite Decline In Energy Demand -Citizens Group Warns Of Impending Damage To Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge - Citizens Energy Task Force Release, April 17, 2009
• $1.7 billion power line project crisscrossing Minnesota is OK'd - Pioneer Press, April 17, 2009
• CapX Transmission Line Decision Ignored Current Economic Realities - NAWO/ILSR Release, April 16, 2009
• Minn. Regulators OK Power Line Project - WCCO TV, April 16, 2009
• MN regulators OK power line project - AP, April 16, 2009
• PUC hears arguments on 600 miles of high voltage power lines - Minnesota Public Radio, April 15, 2009
• CapX2020 towers could pass through Winona - Winona Post, April 15, 2009
• PUC Asked to Reopen Power Line Debate - Pioneer Press, April 15, 2009
• PUC To Decide on Need for CapX Lines - Citizens Seek to Reopen Record - New Evidence of Demand Decline - Citizens Energy Task Force Release, April 13, 2009 [see also this Backgrounder on CapX and the PUC Hearings)
• Jeremy Chipps: Act now to affect CapX2020 decision - La Crosse Tribune, April 5, 2009
• Letter to the Editor: Act now to stop high voltage power line project - Houston County News, April 1, 2009
• The Brookings to Twin Cities Route Application was filed with the Commission on December 29, 2008. The application can be viewed through the eDockets. The docket number for this application is: 08 (year) 1474 (number). Public Hearings beginning March 30, 2009 have been scheduled covering the routing of the Brookings/Twin Cities lines. See this Announcement from the Office of Energy Security and this Backgrounder from Citizens Energy Task Force on how to participate., March 19, 2009
• Huge Wind Energy Transmission Line Proposal Gets Mixed Reaction Across the State - Pioneer Press, March 9, 2009
• Home-Grown Power - New York Times, March 6, 2009
• Judge Recommends Power-Line Approval - Rochester Post-Bulletin, March 4, 2009
• State Judge Approves Power Line Project - Winona Daily News, March 4, 2009
• Judge's Report - Proposed CapX2020 Power Line Approval - Activists Charge Wrong Direction for Local, Clean Renewable Energy - Citizen Energy Task Force, March 2, 2009 [see also their CapX 2020 Background Sheet]
• High-voltage electrical lines win judge's recommendation - Nonbinding decision finds set-aside for renewable energy isn't required - Pioneer Press, March 2, 2009
• High-voltage power lines could criss-cross Minnesota - Minnesota Public Radio, February 23, 2009
• Network needed to feed energy diet - Christian Science Monitor - February 18, 2009
• Midwest transmission boom worries land conservation, wildlife advocates - LandLetter, February 12, 2009
• Skepticism follows major transmission line proposal - Daily Reporter, February 11, 2009
• Letters to the Editor on CapX - La Crosse Tribune, December 17 and December 30, 2008
• Rural group opposes new power line - The Cannon Falls Beacon, December 12, 2008
• Xcel to maintain rates in 2009 - La Crosse Tribune, December 12, 2008
• Power line project draws crowd to La Crescent event - La Crosse Tribune, December 11, 2008
• Conserve power, says BLEW, others - Winona Post, December 10, 2008
• Group buzzing about power-line proposal - Winona Daily News, December 8, 2008
• Guest view: High-voltage power line needed? by Joseph Morse - Winona Daily News, December 7, 2008
• Letter to Editor: Ask questions about power lines - - La Crosse Tribune, December 5, 2008
• Project that could boost Midwest 'wind belt' faces enviro opposition - Greenwire, December 1, 2008
• Surprise Drop in Power Use Delivers Jolt to Utilities - Wall Street Journal, November 21, 2008
• Wind may become new area cash crop - St. Cloud Times, October 1, 2008
• Smart grid offers energy savings - Minnesota Public Radio, September 30, 2008
• Letters: Variety on the CapX 2020 Powerlines - Houston County News, September 24, 2008
• Opposition organizes against area power line plan - Rochester Post-Bulletin, September 22, 2008
• Seifert aware of power line concerns - Marshall Independent, September 18, 2008
• Letter: On CapX2020, let your voice be heard - Marshall Independent, September 17, 2008
• High-Voltage Lines Create Community Static - WCCO, September 14, 2008
• High-voltage lines generate organized opposition - Chicago Tribune, September 14, 2008
• Powerlines may not be needed, says Rep. Tschumper - ECM Community Newspapers, September 11, 2008
• Power line plan has environmentalists fighting for citizens & utilities - St. Paul Pioneer Press, September 9, 2008
• Plans to build new powerlines meet opposition - Minnesota Public Radio, September 10, 2008
• Xcel-backed power project creates controversy with environmental groups - Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, September 10, 2008
• High-voltage power line plan draws criticism - Finance and Commerce, September 9, 2008
• Tschumper and Citizens to Voice Concerns on CapX 2020 High Voltage Lines - Not convinced there is a need for the nearly $2 billion project - Office of MN State Rep. Tschumper, September 9, 2008
• Proposed power line has generated lots of heated opposition - La Crosse Tribune, September 7, 2008
• Letters to the Editor - various, September 7, 2008
• LETTER: Act needed now to prevent power lines - Onalaska Community Life, September 4, 2008
• The Current: A Line and a Bluff - Star Tribune, August 21, 2008
• Have your say on power line route - The Farmington Independent, August 21, 2008
• Letter to Editor: Oppose the new transmission lines - La Crosse Tribune, August 16, 2008
• Electrical line hearings to be held in Arlington, MN - Gaylord Hub, August 14, 2008
• La Crescent council votes against power line project - Rochester Post-Bulletin, August 14, 2008
• La Crescent city council passes resolution opposed to power lines - WXOW Television, August 11, 2008
• La Crescent resident gets active when power-line project is proposed - Rochester Post-Bulletin, August 9, 2008
• Proposed power line through Winona County worries residents - Rochester Post-Bulletin, August 8, 2008
• CapX 2020 catches controversy - KTTC Television, August 9, 2008
• Letter to the Editor: New power lines would hurt area - La Crosse Tribune, August 3, 2008
• Forum gives power line skeptics a voice; comment period extended - La Crosse Tribune, August 1, 2008
• Xcel asking to hike electric rates - La Crosse Tribune, August 1, 2008
• Variety of Stories and Letters - Houston County News, July 30, 2008
• Proposed Power Lines Spark Debate in La Crescent - WKBT television, July 28, 2008 (video available too)
• Proposed power lines in La Crescent sparks high-voltage debate - LaCrosse Tribune, July 26, 2008
• Power line proposal jolts local landowners - Winona Daily News, July 2, 2008

Radio

• Citizens Energy Task Force Members talk about PUC Decision on KFAI Radio - April 17, 2009
  
• PUC hears arguments on 600 miles of high voltage power lines - Minnesota Public Radio, April 15, 2009
• High-voltage power lines could criss-cross Minnesota - Minnesota Public Radio, February 23, 2009
  
• Smart grid offers energy savings - Minnesota Public Radio, September 30, 2008 [listen to the story]
• Interview on CapX 2020 on WLUS Radio Newsmakers Show - WLSU, La Crosse, September 15, 2008
• Proposed power lines divide environmental groups - Minnesota Public Radio, September 14, 2008 [listen to the story]
• Another fight over power lines underway in Minnesota - MN Public Radio, June 18, 2008 [listen to the story]
• Lines drawn over power transmission - - MN Public Radio, April 26, 2007 [listen to the story]

Video

Powerful power line controversy - broadcast on WXOW La Crosse, August 5, 2009 (Video)

Rural Residents Oppose Xcel Energy's CapX2020 Project - WKBT, August 5, 2009

Coverage of USDA/RUS Scoping Meetings on Environmental Impact Study for CapX2020 High Voltage Power Line Project - June 23, 2009

Coverage of CapX 2020 on WKBT La Crosse, December 10, 2008

Coverage of CapX 2020 on WXOW La Crosse, December 10, 2008

Coverage of CapX 2020 La Crescent, MN, Resolution August 12, 2008

CapX 2020 Coverage KTTC Rochester (MN), August 9, 2008

Coverage of CapX 2020 Community Forum in La Crescent, MN, August 1, 2008

CapX 2020 Coverage - WKBT television, July 28, 2008

CapX 2020 Coverage - WXOW television, July 27, 2008

Studies Show Alternatives to the CapX 2020 Approach to Our Energy Future

Minnesota Dispersed Renewable Generation Study - Phase I (June 2008)
This study developed the first state-wide models of Minnesota's entire electrical system including higher and lower voltage lines and used new methodologies to identify potential opportunities for 600 MW of dispersed renewable generation. The study concluded that 600 MW of renewable energy could be built using our existing transmission grid with ZERO additional costs for new transmission lines.

• Volume I: Dispersed Renewable Generation Study Phase I Report
• Volume II: Dispersed Renewable Generation Study Phase I Report, Appendix A
• Volumes III: Dispersed Renewable Generation Study Phase I Report, Appendices B - I
• Dispersed Renewable Generation Study Presentation-Webinar
• Dispersed Renewable Generation Webinar Audio
• ILSR/NAWO Press Release - June 17, 2008

West Central Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) Transmission Study - January 2007
The West Central Central C-BED Transmission Study was a result of negotiations between a utility consortium and the North American Water Office. The study area chosen was in west central Minnesota, a 17 county area encompassing more than 540,000 people, and nearly 11,300 square miles.  The study area’s boundaries go from a little east of St. Cloud, Minnesota and encompass roughly a box whose borders are roughly 50 miles north and south of St. Cloud and west to the Dakotas. The study found that 1,400 MW of C-BED projects could be inserted into west central Minnesota at a cost of $100 million in upgraded transmission infrastructure.

• Final C-BED Transmission Study Report - January 2007
• Interim C-BED Transmission Study Report - June 2006
• West Central C-BED Study map
• Southeast C-BED Study map (supporting documentation)
• Southwest C-BED Study map (supporting documentation)
• Northeast C-BED Study map (supporting documentation)
• Northwest C-BED Study map (supporting documentation)
• C-BED 800 MW Generation Map
• C-BED 1400 MW Generation Map

Minnesota Feed-In Tariff Could Lower Cost, Boost Renewables and Expand Local Ownership
This January 2008 policy brief by John Farrell highlights how several European countries, and more recently the Canadian province of Ontario, have adopted a simple yet powerful strategy to expand renewable energy and benefit local economies. It is called a feed-in tariff: a mandated, long-term premium price for renewable energy paid by the local electric utility to energy producers. Evidence shows that a feed-in tariff achieves greater results at a lower cost than do other strategies like tax incentives or renewable electricity standards.

View Executive Summary and Download Full Report

Wind and Ethanol: Economies and Diseconomies of Scale
Congress and most state legislatures have or are developing renewable energy policies with a single objective: get more renewables. This August 2007 study by John Farrell finds that this single minded focus ignores the potential economic benefits from locally owned and more modestly scaled facilities. The focus should on better renewable energy projects not simply more. Download Full Report

Minnesota and Regional Organizations

• Midwest Treaty Network
• Minnesota Electric Transmission Owners
• North American Water Office
• Power Line Task Force - group of Twin Cities folks that fought a powerline for 4 years.
• Protect the Earth
• RENEW Wisconsin
• SOUL - Save Our Unique Lands
• 3M - developing higher efficiency transmission line materials
• Wisconsin Citizens Utility Board
• Wisconsin Stewardship Network

Other Organizations Concerned About Transmission Lines

• Castle Coalition: Citizens Fighting Eminent Domain Abuse
• American Superconductor - developing high-temperature superconducting wire
• Homeowners Opposing Power-line Encroachment (HOPE) of Georgia
• Human Radiation Effects Group - UK
• National Council on Electricity Policy
• National Wind Coordinating Collaborative has a section related to transmission and wind energy
• Powerwatch - the independent voice on EMF issues in the UK
• StrayVoltage.org
• REVOLT: Rural England Versus Overhead Line Transmission - England groups fighting power lines
• World Health Organization's section on Electromagnetic fields

Minnesota Transmission Studies and Reports

• Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommendation - In the Matter of the Application of Otter Tail Power Company and Others for Certification of Transmission Facilities in Western Minnesota (this is Big Stone II transmission line for SD coal plant proceeding, MN PUC Docket No. 05-619), issued May 9, 2008
• The 2007 Minnesota Biennial Transmission Projects Report - from all the utilities, November 1, 2007
• Minnesota Renewable Energy Standards Report - from all the utilities, November 1, 2007

Other Transmission Related Studies and Reports

• The Size of the U.S. Energy Efficiency Market: Generating a More Complete Picture - American Council for and Energy Efficient Economy, May 2008
• Ecological Effects of Fragmentation Related to Transmission Line Rights-of-Way: A Review of the State of the Science - Energy Center of Wisconsin, August 2004
• Electricity Transmission: A Primer - National Council on Electricity Policy, August 2004
• Special Study for Screening Twenty-one Portfolios Based on Projects Submitted to Xcel Energy’s All Source Request for Proposal - prepared for the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, February 2003
  The purpose of this report was to develop a list of transmission upgrades required under the various portfolios, and to estimate the budgetary cost of the upgrades.
• Strengthening the Grid: Effect of High-Temperature Superconducting Power Technologies on Reliability, Power Transfer Capacity, and Energy Use - by Richard Silberglitt, Emile Ettedgui, Anders Hove, 2002
• Presentations from the Upper Midwest Transmission Workshop III - by the National Wind Coordinating Committee, December 5, 2002
• Presentations from the Upper Midwest Transmission Workshop II - by the National Wind Coordinating Committee, March 12-13, 2002
• Presentations from the Upper Midwest Transmission Workshop - by the National Wind Coordinating Committee, May 1-2, 2001
• Meeting Electric Infrastructure Constraints with Distributed Generation - American Gas Association, August 2001