Power Line Task Force

For Immediate Release

For Further Information, call

Roger Conant, 612-677-1493

Citizens’ Group Sues Xcel

March 4, 2003—Xcel Energy must obey the law by obtaining required State permissions before it can initiate construction of its planned new SE Metro power line through the cities of South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Sunfish Lake, and Mendota Heights, according to a suit filed today by the Power Line Task Force in Hennepin County District Court.

The suit asserts Xcel is violating Minnesota Statutes § 216B.243 and Minn. Rules § 7849.0030 by failing to obtain a Certificate of Need from the Public Utility Commission. It further alleges Xcel is violating the Power Plan Siting Act (Minn. Stat. §§ 116C.52 – 116C.69) and Minn. Rules §4400.0600 by failing to obtain a Route Permit from the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. The suit notes the Act provides that, in selecting a route, Xcel “shall choose locations that minimize adverse human and environmental impact,” a condition clearly not met by the proposed line, which, if built, would pass within 10 feet of many homes.

The suit further asserts the line will damage the members of the PLTF by reducing property values and inducing adverse health effects. It also claims Xcel is illegally trespassing upon PLTF members’ homes during the construction phase, thereby causing destruction and dislocation of their land and property.

In a related matter, the PLTC continues to await the Appeals Court decision on its appeal of the decision by the Dakota County District Court overturning the Sunfish Lake City Council’s rejection of the proposed line and the District Court’s acceptance of the resulting settlement agreement between the City and Xcel.

A copy of the complaint and pictures suitable for publication are available in the SE Metro section of the PLTF website, www.powerlinefacts.com

–END-