On March 22, 2001, the Steering Committee had its last meeting, at which representatives of CAI (the consultant hired by the Committee), Xcel, and the PLTF presented testimony.  Xcel explained why it thought the line was needed, although it submitted no written testimony.  The consultant, CAI, is viewed by the PLTF as biased, as it has the design contract on the very line it is supposed to "independently" analyze.  It provided written submissions, which totally reflected the Xcel's views and interests.  Finally, the PLTF asked experts to provide information.  This information largely countered the information provided by CAI.

The information covered three topics, the impact of EMF on human health, the need for the new SE Metro Line, and the impact of the proposed line on property values.

 

The Impact of EMF on Human Health

Columbia University's Martin Blank discusses how magnetic fields impact cellular function and how such fields may promote the growth of cancer.  He notes that EMF reduces the body's concentration of melatonin, which inhibits cancer, and reduces the effectiveness of the anti-cancer drug tamoxifen
Trent Unversity's Magda Havas reviews the scientific literature.  (In her verbal testimony, she noted that the Russian and Polish literature also had much evidence on the cancer-causing impact of EMF.
CAI hired Peter Valberg, who was charged with minimizing the dangers of EMF.  Here is his testimony, with links to those pages in the PLTF's experts presentations that respond to his points.
Martin Blank responds to the Valberg Testimony
Magda Havas responds to the Valberg Testimony
Here is the transcript of the meeting.

 

The Need for the SE Metro Line

The consultant, CAI, developed a summary of its report that addressed the need for the line.  (CAI states it "cannot" make the full report available for online viewing.)
The full report contained a table (Table 2.1) that summarized Xcel's projections for the need for the line.  Here is a graph of those projections.  The bars show three Xcel projections and the date of those projections.  The PLTF believes that Xcel devised the last projections at CAI's request solely because the earlier projections failed to validate a need for the line.  Included in Xcel's projections were 25 MW for the Eagen based failing internet company Wam!Net.  Even if Wam!Net should survive, it will be so reduced in strength it is unlikely to use any significant amounts of power.

 

 
The PLTF asked the engineering firm firm, MSB Energy, to analyze CAI's analysis.
CAI responded to MSB's analysis in two documents.  A first letter addressed to Mayor Tiffany and a second letter addressed to him.
MSB then responded to CAI's two letters.

Property Values

CAI's report contained an analysis that suggested the new line would have only a minor impact upon property values.  The data upon which it relied was drawn from a database maintained by Capital Appraisals, who maintain that their data was misinterpreted.
A resident, James Schatz, has successfully had his property tax appraisal reduced because of the power line.