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Summary
The project runs through the heart of a densely
urbanized area, within 10 to 15 feet of many homes.
Xcel's explanations have changed frequently
Xcel has shown it does care if its power lines are
inducing abortions.
Other houses are impacted by similar lines that run
very close to them.
Xcel has made many misstatements.
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(See above links for more information)
Other Important Information
There is a
better alternative to the
line proposed by NSP. It is shorter and less expensive. Unlike
the proposed line, which Passes with 100' of at least 20 residences and
within 300' of 40 residences, the suggested line never is closer than 300'
to a house. It passes almost entirely thorough areas impacted by
industrial development.
Click to see a
picture of the proposed route.
NSP and CAI contended MNDOT would not permit the line. However,
a letter from MNDOT demonstrated this is incorrect, and that the line
could be allowed.
Xcel's
(formerly NSP) explanation of why this line is needed has gone through
five stages in three years.
NSP first
insisted that EMF could not endanger human health, and now concedes in
may be dangerous to humans.
Letter to Xcel
Expressing Concern
Xcel's Uncaring, Delayed
Response
Draft
of Reply to NSP
Letter from NSP printed in the 9/15/99 issue of the Sun Current
Response to NSP's Letter
There are other houses in the Twin Cities that lie dangerously close to
transmission power lines.
The
Power Line Task Force presented Xcel with an
extensively documented list of
misstatements made by the utility's representative, David Callahan,
during the proceedings before the cities. Xcel's Vice President,
Independent Transmission Company,
responded
by stating simply, "I disagree with your claims." He indicated
without citations that, when they learned of inaccuracies, "we sought to
correct the information."
A
March 22, 2001, hearing held in connection with the SE Metro Line features
exchanges
of papers by experts that well summarize the current state of science regarding EMF and
its impact upon human health. Now!
The official transcript
of the meeting is
available. It contrasts the views of the utilities' expert with
those of independent analysts.
CAI's
based its conclusions justifying the need for the line on Xcel projections
of increase consumptions. A significant portion of this increase was
due to proposed consumption by the internet company, Wam!net.
Wam!net is now in serious financial difficulties. Its outside accounting
firm has
warned that the company is unlikely to survive for the rest of the year.
Whether or not Wam!net should fail, it is clear that, in its weakened
state, it is unlikely to be consuming significant amounts of power.
Futhermore, Xcel has now abandoned the link from Mendota Heights to
Bloomington, thereby undercutting CAI's assumptions.
These changes render invalid
the CAI analysis.
Even though Xcel abandoned plans to build the western link of the
line, Xcel's consultant, CAI, nevertheless
maintained the line was still
needed,
essentially because, someday, Xcel might find it handy.
See also the information on
property values developed at the Steering Committee meetings.
See also the Expert Testimony
section of the EMF page, which reports on the testimony at the
Steering Committee.
Xcel is verging on bankruptcy, largely because of its speculative
investment in NRG. Xcel's
Fitch Bond Ratings at Near-Junk Level. Xcel's current rating can
be found
here. This is important because, if Xcel damages property during
the construction process, its ability to repay the homeowners would be
subject to the claims of other creditors if Xcel were to enter into
bankruptcy.
Xcel's disregard for obvious truth is revealed in this
October 9, 2002, Pioneer
Press article that shows Xcel failed to note that its "independent"
expert is its own law firm.
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Alternatives
