tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61842429179697146452024-03-13T21:24:44.560-07:00Buckwheat Valley Citizens CoalitionBuckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition.
"Small Steps, Long Journey."Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-37524651293605835782011-08-03T20:59:00.000-07:002011-08-03T21:04:51.758-07:00BVCC NEWS REPORT. POSTED: August 3, 2011.<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">NEWS RELEASE</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>August 3, 2011.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) has two goals in its BVCC Mission Statement. The first, is to educated the public. The second, is to encourage public discourse and the exchange of information.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> One of the biggest mistakes citizens and government often make is to NOT learn from their past. </b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">BVCC often reaches out to recommend resources to citizens that will accomplish both goals. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>One</b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> such recommend resource, which BVCC hopes everyone will read and absorb, is contained within the following article written by the column writer [Vikki Kratz] way back in 2007. In compliance with copy write law, we have provided the following link:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=8190">http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=8190</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Currently, many concerned citizens in Wisconsin are engaged in a challenge opposing the construction of new proposed high voltage electrical lines in our communities. Many of us may think this is a new struggle. It is NOT! These massive electrical transmission line projects have been opposed by many affected communities, for many years. The problem in Wisconsin, is NOT that valid objections are not raised, they are, and have been many times over since 2004 onward. The real problem, in Wisconsin, is that our elected officials and governmental authorities have not listened to what the public wants, and they are still not listening, to this day. Why? Is it true that a three member appointed Public Service Commission knows more about what the public needs, than the public? Could it be true that public opposition to these monster lines is driven simply by tree huggers? Do civic and public organizations, made up of hundreds of ordinary tax paying citizens, expend massive amounts of human energy to oppose these lines simply because they have nothing else to do in this busy world we live in? I think not to all of the above! What we really have here is "a failure to communicate," brought about by a lack of "public minded leadership," and no public oriented vision for Wisconsin's future. Put another way, "NASA, we have a problem."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
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</b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-19991581784362356912011-08-01T20:14:00.000-07:002011-08-03T19:16:14.560-07:00BVCC QUESTION FROM THE BACK ROW. POSTED: August 2, 2011.<div style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="color: #222222;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">QUESTION FROM THE BACK ROW</span></b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>August 2, 2011.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>QUESTION:</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>What are your predictions for energy in the future?</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>ANSWER:</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>BVCC ENERGY HORIZON</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>(A) 2010 National Super Grid Energy System Policy.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 1. Centralized Corporate Energy Grid Monopolies.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 2. Independent Alternative Generations Stifled.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 3. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Minimal</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> Free Enterprise Energy Technology.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 4. Dirty Coal Generation Energy Supply Increases.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 5. Big Government Energy Policy Expansion.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 6. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Non-existent Public </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Energy Control.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>(B) 2020 Energy Horizon.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 1. Local Energy Generation Is Preferred Source.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 2. International Energy Exchange In Mega Watts.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 3. One Quarter Of US GNP In Energy Portfolio.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 4. Carbon Footprint Yields To Oxygen Depletion.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 5. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Obsolete Energy</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> Transmission Super Grid .</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 6. Building Codes Mandate Energy Conservation.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 7. Surge In Energy Technology Driven Jobs.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 8. Business Models Are Conservation Mandated.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 9. Federal Energy Policy Is Overhauled.</b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 10. Politicians Run On Energy Platforms.</b></span></div></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 11. Revolutionary Energy Technology Systems.</b></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> 12. Ten Percent Less Energy Consumption.</b></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-34204702735985181102011-08-01T12:46:00.000-07:002011-08-01T17:53:41.776-07:00BVCC-EDITORIAL COLUMN. POSTED: AUGUST 1, 2011.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>EDITORIAL COLUMN</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>August 1, 2011.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Every once in a while, the editor of this Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) Blog just can't stay silent and has to jump into the fire. This is one such time. Lately, BVCC has been asking the question: Why doesn't the press use its public format to expose the multitude of misconceptions, faulty need analysis, and outright disingenuous motivations within the American Transmission Company - Badger Coulee high voltage line proposal? Now, the answer to that dilemma is very clear for all to see. I would like to present a few quotes, from a reputedly well respected source, for your consideration.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"When the decision occurs, [Public Service Commission's ATC Badger Coulee Final Application Decision] Wisconsin residents will have had ample opportunity not only to understand the pros and cons but also to influence the decision and the choice of routes."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"For that we can thank a transparent process of public input that was underscored last month at eight public [ATC-BC] meeting around the affected areas."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"This is a model for how to make public decisions about the public interest."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"This line [ATC-BC] offers advantages."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"A westward line could bring more wind-generated electricity into Wisconsin."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"The new line would cost $425 million, adding about 75 cents to a $100 monthly utility bill."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"Residents had a chance to raise doubts about the line's value."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"ATC executives can now digest the input before making a proposal to the state Public Service Commission in another public process, predicted for 2013."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"Other industries that face regulatory decisions affecting the public interest would be smart to adopt similar processes for involving the public."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Had enough citizens of Wisconsin. There is more, if you care to read it </span>[Wisconsin State Journal "Editorial-Public input pays off in power plan. 8-1-2011.].<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> For those of us Wisconsin citizens who have followed the real ATC-BC story (and have not been hoodwinked) we know those above quotes are simply trash. Shame on you </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>[Anonymous]</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> Wisconsin State Journal Editorial Author! Your head is stuck in the sand, and every word of your flimflam smells of ATC rhetoric and influence, absent fact. Your Editorial is a sick and sad example of how despicable Corporate influence has contaminated media news. This Editorial is good for use only in the privy.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Alvin Brinkman</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Public Relations</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition</i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-47153513193793758142011-07-24T22:46:00.000-07:002011-07-25T05:02:27.492-07:00BVCC LETTER TO EDITOR. POSTED: JULY 25, 2011.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>LETTER TO EDITOR</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">July 25, 2011.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><blockquote type="cite"><div style="-webkit-line-break: after-white-space; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; word-wrap: break-word;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-edited="true" apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="color: #094578; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-edited="true" apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #094578; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-edited="true" apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">For several weeks now Wisconsin citizens have had an opportunity to attend "Open House" public relations sales events presented by the American Transmission Company (ATC), promoting its Badger Coulee (BC) high voltage - high capacity electric transmission line project proposal (Costing 425 Million dollars - traveling 150 miles through the heart of Wisconsin). ATC encourages the Public (at these events) to focus on where the towers should be placed, and totally avoids the question: IS THERE A "NEED" FOR THIS PROJECT? "NOT IN MY BACKYARD" is ATC's deliberate strategy to divide the Public while wrongfully presenting this ATC-BC proposal as a far gone conclusion.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #094578; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-edited="true" apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #094578; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-edited="true" apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">ATC does not generate electricity, it is solely in the for-profit business of constructing mammoth electric transmission line corridors. The more corridors it builds, the more money it makes. The Public electric rate payers are stuck with the bill (from the beginning of the application process, all the way through the eminent domain land seizure litigation, until up to 40 years after the corridor construction is completed). As a consumer, I first establish that I need a product. Then, I buy the most affordable product I can find to meet that need. ATC, wants to sell the Public on its multi Million dollar product first (by asking where do you want me to put the towers) and plans to only reveal to the public its "Need" Application data (two years later) when ATC submits its Final Badger Coulee Application (through a privileged legal proceeding and hearing) before the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin, in 2013.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #094578; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-edited="true" apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #094578; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-edited="true" apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Many Wisconsin towns (like the one I live in) are asking: Why should Wisconsin residents be forced to sacrifice or suffer from the loss of real-estate values, tourism, natural resources, potential health risks, and eminent domain land seizures, without first receiving convincing independent study data, confirming the "NEED" for this sacrifice? Is the ATC-BC (high voltage - high capacity solution) proposal the best (most cost effective) solution to fix specific existing ATC suggested low voltage upgrades? How can citizens even be assured there are low voltage needed upgrades when ATC is the source of those studies? The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin have suggested that the national electric grid system (including the Wisconsin electric grid system) are reliable, stable, and that there is even an excess of electricity generation (capacity) already in our grid network! In fact, Wisconsin, in total, has used much less electricity every year (since 2008), and our national growth rate is projected to be less than 1.4%, until 2020. Why then, should Wisconsin (who has already spent Millions on upgrades since 2002 - and is way ahead of our Midwest counterparts) be asked to undertake another ATC expensive dirty coal importing project, during one of our nations worst recessions, in recent memory? Especially concerning to me is that fact that the Badger Coulee line will not be a significant source of renewable energy (contrary to ATC 's claims). The Badger Coulee line will be part of a "Super Grid" dirty coal transmission network designed to sell energy in the direction of the East Coast, where their profits could be doubled. But you wont get ATC to talk about that issue. What do you think would happen if the proposed Minnesota CapX2020 "Super Grid" high voltage corridor in La Crosse, Wisconsin (the Minnesota high voltage feeder to Wisconsin's proposed ATC-BC line) was denied? ATC has told me, that if CapX2020 was in jeopardy, ATC would have to re-evaluate ATC's position on the ATC Badger Coulee project. What does that tell you about what the goal is here regarding the "Super Grid?" What about Wisconsin's low voltage fixes? The ones ATC says they could avoid fixing if we constructed the Badger Coulee line? By listening to ATC I thought the BC line was needed no mater what else went on around us. Now, I think I know the truth behind that rhetorical hype.</span></span></span></span></span></div><br />
<div style="color: #094578; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-edited="true" apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The general Public needs to become informed on this topic (and get the other side of this story). Gee, I wonder why the press and the media have not stepped up to this issue? The lack of objective news and their eerie silence should give one cause for alarm. Good journalism is more than writing a story about where ATC has events, and when the project is slated to be completed. Once informed, the Public needs to contact their elected officials, and ask the Million dollar question: Where are the "Need" data comparison (cost-benefit) alternative studies? Ask your County Board Supervisors to require ATC to publish their existing ATC-BC Draft Application (the one ATC already submitted to the PSC in 2010 - the same one that is locked inside the PSC vault) preventing the Public from being able to understand the "NEED," NOW, during the ATC-BC Public Information Phase! How many times does the public have to ask for that data? Is anyone home at ATC? What about the PSC? Maybe they both need to turn their lights on and read their mail!</span></span></span></span></span></div></div></blockquote> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Sincerely,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Alvin Brinkman</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> La Valle, Wisconsin </span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="-webkit-line-break: after-white-space; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; word-wrap: break-word;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span apple-content-edited="true" apple-content-name="body" applecontenteditable="true" style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-88050218454877320122011-07-23T22:11:00.001-07:002011-08-01T18:45:17.386-07:00For The Cork Board On The Wall.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Power and position are very corrosive to humility and compassion.</b></i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-35010722856202054712011-07-23T20:18:00.000-07:002011-08-01T18:46:21.381-07:00BVCC QUOTE OF THE WEEK. POSTED: JULY 23, 2011.<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">QUOTE OF THE MONTH</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">JULY 23, 2011.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>"Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><b>Benjamin Franklin</b></i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-57307882668434485592011-07-22T23:56:00.000-07:002011-07-23T20:08:07.157-07:00BVCC EVENT REVIEW & EVENT CALENDAR. POSTED: JULY 23, 2011.<div style="color: #232323; font: normal normal normal 24px/normal Georgia; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">EVENTS, CALENDAR & LETTERS</span></b></div><div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Georgia; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 10px; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="color: #232323; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">July 23, 2011.</span></b></div><div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Georgia; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 10px; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: normal normal normal 24px/normal Georgia; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">EVENT NEWS</span></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Georgia; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">July 23, 2011. For most people in Wisconsin this has been a heat wave month. Use of electricity has broken many previous records. Madison Gas & Electric Company (MG&E) served up 753 megawatts (MW) of juice to its thirsty customers, breaking their last record of 742 MW back in 2006. Wow, "that's a lot of bananas."</span></i></div><div style="color: #073663; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="color: #073663; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So, how are we doing on the energy reliability front, one might ask? Are we "constrained" and unable to meet this record electricity demand? Are we able to cope using our existing reliable electric energy generation sources and transmission systems? The Dane County Utility spokesman [Steve Kraus] said: "Electricity supplies and transmission operations are adequate to meet even higher power demands expected later this week." The American Transmission Company (ATC) spokeswoman [Kaya Freiman] said: "The system is in good shape and we are anticipating meeting those needs." The We Energy spokesmen [Brian Manthey] said: "The utility saw energy use late Wednesday afternoon that was 2% shy of their all-time high set in July of 2006." The Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) said: "Although demand is high and supply is tight, the transmission system remains stable." The MISO vice president [Richard Doying] said: The Wisconsin electrical grid system "had sufficient power supplies available so that the grid operator did not need to ask heavy energy users to curtail electricity use." In fact, our Wisconsin electric generation and transmission system was in such good shape (during this record breaking high demand event) that ATC says it was able to "export power" (surplus electricity) to other parts of the Midwest! That's impressive! Who else in the Midwest can boast that claim?</span></i></div><div style="color: #073663; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="color: #073663; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">But wait a minute here folks. I thought ATC had suggested Wisconsin was in a crisis mode, and Wisconsin needed to hurry through another ATC transmission line construction project, in order to keep our heads above water, so to speak. Here is a simple question for all of you citizens. If what the "experts" above have told us is a fact, why are we being asked to spend $425 Million Dollars of electric rate payers money for the proposed ATC Badger Coulee (BC) high voltage-high capacity transmission line? Do we really need another new dirty coal burning import line? Is there really a "reliability" problem in our current system?</span></i></div><div style="color: #073663; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="color: #073663; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We are back to square one. The same old question BVCC keeps asking ATC, and has yet to get an answer to. Where is the "need?" Maybe we should also be asking "Where is the beef?"</span></i></div><div style="color: #073663; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-80084231778893389282011-07-18T21:23:00.000-07:002011-08-01T18:47:19.099-07:00Tied Up.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">My friends,</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">let there be no mistake.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">A suit, is a suit,</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">no mater the color.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">When Congress has no suits,</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">justice will return to its halls,</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">and not till then.</span></i></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-8260567851652858762011-07-14T16:54:00.000-07:002011-07-15T21:34:19.322-07:00BVCC EVENTS, CALENDAR & LETTERS. POSTED: JULY 14, 2011.<div style="color: #232323; font: 24.0px Georgia; line-height: 18.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><b>EVENTS, CALENDAR & LETTERS</b></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 9.0px Georgia; line-height: 18.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 10.0px; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 13.0px Georgia; line-height: 18.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><b>July 14, 2011.</b></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 9.0px Georgia; line-height: 18.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 10.0px; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 24.0px Georgia; line-height: 18.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><b>EVENT NEWS</b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 10.0px Georgia; line-height: 18.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 11.0px; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 18.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><b><i>July 14, 2011. For those of you who are into the nucleus of energy theory and management, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has released its new ISO 50001 Framework For Energy Management. This new ISO 50001 international standard has the potential to ultimately effect 60 percent of global energy use. In its most basic overview, ISO 50001 is an organizational management standard that provides tools (for large corporations, small business and government agencies) for identifying the best measurable management approaches to yield the greatest energy savings, per year, over time. This new standard is over ten years in the making. It is said to be user friendly (for both big and small energy consumption base lines) and is not prescriptive (but rather inclusive and adaptable). Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) believes this is the kind of forward energy conservation model thinking that will provide the monetary motivation (profit-loss incentive) for corporate attitude change (which is so sadly lacking in the current corporate intellectual content of today's business mind set). Now, if only we could convince our local and federal governments to require compliance with ISO 50001, and make this a legislative priority. How long do you citizens estimate that could take? Why not ask them? See if your local and federal politicians know that ISO 50001 even exists?</i></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 18.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><b><i>RESOURCE LINK</i></b></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 13.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.enernoc.com/customers/newsletter/energysmart-2011-preview-iso-50001-the-new-international-standard-for-energy-management/"><b><i>http://www.enernoc.com/customers/newsletter/energysmart-2011-preview-iso-50001-the-new-international-standard-for-energy-management/</i></b></a></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 13.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://energysmartconference2011.com/registration.html"><b><i>http://energysmartconference2011.com/registration.html</i></b></a></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 13.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 18.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><b><i>July 14, 2011. BVCC will be meeting with several grass roots energy conscious organizations on Monday, July 18, 2011, to discuss our common interests regarding the American Transmission Company's Badger Coulee high voltage line proposal and the CapX2020 proposal. BVCC will update you later on the results of that meeting.</i></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 16.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px; text-align: justify;"><b><i></i></b></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 18.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073663;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">July 14, 2011. BVCC has received several requests for information on how to electronically enter your citizen comments into the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin website. Here are the links to the PSC and information on how to both submit comment and how to become an intervenor in a PSC application. Please take a little time to learn how to submit your public comments, and send them frequently. Please remember to enter the correct Docket Case No. when sending your comments or submissions.</span></b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073663;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></span></div></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 16.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><b><i>ATC-BADGER COULEE Docket No. 137-CE-160</i></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 16.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><b><i>CAPX2020 Docket No. 5-CE-136</i></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 16.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px; text-align: center;"><b><i></i></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 24.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><b><i>PSC RESOURCE GUIDE.</i></b></div><div style="color: #073663; font: normal normal normal 24px/normal Georgia; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><i></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Guide To Public Hearings.</span></b></span><br />
<a href="http://psc.wi.gov/thelibrary/publications/general/general01.pdf"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> Definitions.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/ERF%20Document%20Type%20Definitions.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/ERF%20Document%20Type%20Definitions.pdf</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Public Testimony & Public Comment Overview.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps/dockets/Requirements.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps/dockets/Requirements.pdf</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> How To Prepare Effective Public Testimony & Public Comment.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps/dockets/Suggestions.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps/dockets/Suggestions.pdf</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Public Involvement, Intervenor Status & Compensation.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/consumerinfo/intervenor.htm"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/consumerinfo/intervenor.htm</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Public Comments (ERF) On Existing Cases.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps/dockets/comment.aspx"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps/dockets/comment.aspx</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Intervenor Compensation.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://legis.wisconsin.gov/rsb/code/psc/psc003.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://legis.wisconsin.gov/rsb/code/psc/psc003.pdf</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Intervenor Compensation Application.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/thelibrary/documents/2005ICApplication.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/thelibrary/documents/2005ICApplication.pdf</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Login & Create Account For Electronic Regulatory Filing.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="https://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_upload/default.aspx"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">https://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_upload/default.aspx</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Case Management System.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps/cms_docket/default.asp"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps/cms_docket/default.asp</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Overview Of Electronic Regulatory Filing-Quick Reference.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/QuickReference.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/QuickReference.pdf</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Electronic Regulatory Filing-General Information.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/faqs.aspx"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/faqs.aspx</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Electronic Regulatory Filing-Document, Format-Quick Reference.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/DocQuickRef.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/DocQuickRef.pdf</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Subscriptions To Electronic Regulatory Filing System Notifications.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/subscriptions.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/subscriptions.pdf</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> How To File Formal Case Electronic Documents.</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/user%20manual.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/user%20manual.pdf</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Electronic Regulatory Filing System (ERF).</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/erf_public/default.aspx"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/erf_public/default.aspx</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Electronic Regulatory Filing (ERF).</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/FAQs.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_public/info/documents/FAQs.pdf</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #073663; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Search Electronic Filing System (ERF).</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/erf_search/default.aspx"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/erf_search/default.aspx</span></a></span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1324a7;"> <a href="http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/erf_search/content/tips.htm">http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/erf_search/content/tips.htm</a></span></div><div style="color: #1324a7; font: 14.0px Arial; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #223cfb; font: 18.0px Georgia; line-height: 25.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><b><i>Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</i></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-45001462263263409412011-07-09T10:14:00.000-07:002011-07-09T17:29:36.303-07:00BVCC EVENTS, CALENDAR & LETTERS. POSTED: JULY 9, 2011.<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">EVENTS, </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">CALENDAR & LETTERS</span></b></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">July 9, 2011.</span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">EVENT NEWS</span></span></b></span></i></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></i></span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">July 9, 2011. Lots happening in the Energy News.</span></span></b></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">(1) The CapX2020 Alma, Wisconsin connection from Minnesota is in its review stage. Interveners are lined up, and the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin has given CapX2020 the green light on its application saying it is "complete" and can move into the next phase (more sales pitches coming your way, and lots of legal jaw flapping).</span></span></b></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">(2) ATC representatives told Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition that it will "Have to reevaluate its proposed Badger Coulee line project" if the CapX2020 Alma, Wisconsin connection is not approved by the PSC. That doesn't say much for the "need" in the Wisconsin study area flim-flam we have been hearing for the last two years.</span></span></b></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">(3) According to our sources, Dairyland Electric Co-Op is in hot water (more like sour milk). Seems some of the voting membership are looking to take legal action against their Dairyland Board Of Directors for violating their "Charter" when Dairyland's Board approved investment in the CapX2020 line connection without asking the voting members for approval. BVCC will follow this story with an Investigation Report in the near future.</span></span></b></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">(4) Several new links, studies and books were added to the BVCC Link Library for those of you who have an interest in the real story on all sides of the Energy issues.</span></span></b></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">(5) BVCC has filed a complaint with a Federal Authority over disclosure of information. More details will be forthcoming.</span></span></b></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">(6) BVCC will be participating in the Wisconsin Coalition On Energy (WCOE) to be held on July 18, 2011, at 3:00 PM, at the La Valle Town Hall, in La Valle, Wisconsin. Interested energy minded citizens should contact BVCC for details.</span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">(7) Still no response from the PSC regarding BVCC questions about PSC statutory processes and oversight authority. BVCC has patience with such matters, and we will keep you posted.</span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">(8) One of our sister organizations has sent a citizen to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO) training session meeting on June 14-15, 2011. We will let you know later of what news that brings.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</span></span></b></i></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-52068888751168137782011-07-05T23:18:00.000-07:002011-07-09T17:33:26.216-07:00BVCC GOES UTILITY SHOPPING AT ATC OPEN HOUSE. Posted: July 5, 2011.<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">BVCC GOES UTILITY SHOPPING</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span> </b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">AT AMERICAN TRANSMISSION </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">COMPANY'S</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> OPEN HOUSE</span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Posted July 5, 2011.</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">EVENT NEWS</span></span></b></span></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></i></span></span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">June 29, 2011. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition's (BVCC) Public Relations representative, Alvin Brinkman, went shopping at the American Transmission Company's ATC Open House event, held in Mauston, Wisconsin. Here is his report.</span></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">" It was a beautiful summer day and I hated the idea of going inside a building but, it was my assignment, and I usually finish what I start. Once inside, signs pointed me in the direction of a reception area with an army of ATC intake staff (all punching keys on laptop computers) and beckoning me to come to their window (as if I had just entered a fast food restaurant order counter). They wanted to enter my name in their data base and print out a paper stick-on name tag for me to wear. I don't know about you but, I hate wearing name tags, and I definitely did not want to be on another data base, especially this one. So, I declined, and was gruffly pointed in the direction of a set of large doors, which I entered. Inside was this huge open arena with over thirty or so people walking, talking, pointing, and mulling around. I was immediately (almost grabbed by the arm) and prompted by ATC staff to enter into a enclosed tent where I was expected to sit down and be indoctrinated by an ATC-DVD film presentation. Well, I passed on that too, and began walking to the first booth. I felt like I was in a carnival (about to throw nickels into fish bowels for a stuffed poodle prize). I walked over to a huge map (the size of a war room) and began listening to some of the ATC staff sales pitches (its always interesting to walk up to a group of attendees and get close up and pretend-I'm with them) making it OK to listen in. After about twenty minutes of listening to ATC explain where their towers were going to go, I came to my senses and realized, I was not in a carnival, this was a car dealership, or should I say a tower dealership. The whole purpose of this exhibition was for ATC to explain where they might park their new 170 foot high massive electrical transmission towers. Knowing a "little bit" about the proposed ATC Badger Coulee Line proposal (probably as much as anyone in the room did) I went from booth to booth asking questions, getting no real definitive answers, and then, I got busted. One of the ATC staff asked me: "Are you the guy on the Wisconsin Public Radio talk show with Joy Cardin?" The talk show topic was: "ATC's 425 Million Dollar Wisconsin Transmission Line Project-Called The Badger Coulee Line." I just happen to be (as Joy Cardin put it) "opposed to the ATC-BC project," and that meant that my anonymity at this tower dealership event was over. I then put on my BVCC hat, and soon I had four ATC sales persons doing a four on one routine. Not to worry, I have played in bigger games than this before. I went directly into my challenge mode and began asking real direct questions about the ATC-BC application like: Can you show me the study data supporting ATC's promotional claims? Will ATC share its proposal application draft with the public? Did ATC decline an invitation to meet with a prominent Wisconsin County Board Of Supervisors (in a public meeting to discuss the need for the Badger Coulee Line) because ATC as informed that BVCC would also be present (to challenge the ATC presentation). Soon, I sensed my welcome was worn and tattered, so I thanked all four of my opponents with a hand shake and went on my way. Since then, several days have passed and I have not received a single response to my questions (as promised by the ATC gang of four). <b>In the end, I did not buy their tower scheme, nor their "Not in my back yard" divide and conquer strategy. In stead, I turned my ATC switch off, and went shopping again. This time I bought a case of compact florescent light bulbs, because I plan to keep the lights on!"</b></span></span></span></b></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Contact us at: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">buckwheatvalley</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">@</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">mwt</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">.net</span></b></span></span></b></i></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-16980190360670911942011-07-01T22:30:00.000-07:002011-07-09T17:42:25.104-07:00BVCC INVESTIGATION REPORT. WHO CHANGED THE RULES? POSTED: July 1, 2011.<div style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>BVCC INVESTIGATION REPORT</b></i></span></span></b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Who Changed The Rules?</b></i></span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>PART TWO</b></i></span></span></b></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">On June 23, 2011 Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) published "Part One - Who Changed The Rules?" BVCC had received the following question from citizen [T.G.] inquiring as to:</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"How, why, and where was a "renewable energy percentage of transmission mandate" removed from a previously approved Certificate Of Need (CON)?</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">BVCC thought this question was important and initiated an investigation. As events unraveled BVCC discovered that the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Minnesota did in deed allow for what is called a "Motion For Reconsideration" (whereby an electric utility company could petition the PUC to change the rules of the PUC's previously approved transmission line project) after the PUC had issued its "Final Decision" on that application. Why is this important? Because this means (in its most common denominator) that what the PUC had issued in its "Final Decision" (rules for the electric utility's application approval) could be changed later (with or without a Public hearing proceeding).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">The question BVCC then had was: Is this same process for "Changing The Rules" also within the regulatory domain of the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin? And, if so, what electric utility has used this process to "Change The Rules?" In order to answer these questions we asked legal expert Attorney Frank Jablonski (from the Progressive Law Group, LLC, of Wisconsin) for guidance. The following are question and response quotes:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">----------Beginning Of Questions & Answers---------</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. QUESTION ONE: Is there a procedural regulatory process within the PSC of Wisconsin, whereby a public utility applicant (after the date of its applications approval) could procedurally ask the PSC to modify the terms and conditions of the PSC's "Final Approval Decision," by a process known as "Reconsideration" (or any other term to that affect)?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ANSWER: YES.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. QUESTION TWO: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If such a process exists within the procedural rules of the PSC, please provide the specific PSC citation and rules for this procedure?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ANSWER: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Statutes: Wis. Stat. § 196.39 and Wis. Stat. § 227.49.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;" type="cite"><div style="-webkit-line-break: after-white-space; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; word-wrap: break-word;"><div><div><blockquote type="cite"><div style="-webkit-line-break: after-white-space; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; word-wrap: break-word;"><div><div><div style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">196.39 Change, amendment and rescission of orders; </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">reopening cases. (1) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The commission at any time, upon </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">notice to the public utility and after opportunity to be heard, may </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">rescind, alter or amend any order fixing rates, tolls, charges or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">schedules, or any other order made by the commission, and may </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">reopen any case following the issuance of an order in the case, for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">any reason.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(2) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">An interested party may request the reopening of a case </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">under s. 227.49.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(3) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Any order rescinding, altering, amending or reopening a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">prior order shall have the same effect as an original order.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(4) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Within 30 days after service of an order, the commission </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">may correct an error or omission in the order related to transcription, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">typing or calculation without hearing if the correction does </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">not alter the intended effect of the order.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(5) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This section does not apply to an order issued under s. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">196.371.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">History: </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1983</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">227.49 Petitions for rehearing in contested cases.</span></b></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(1) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A petition for rehearing shall not be a prerequisite for appeal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">or review. Any person aggrieved by a final order may, within 20 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">days after service of the order, file a written petition for rehearing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">which shall specify in detail the grounds for the relief sought and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">supporting authorities. An agency may order a rehearing on its </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">own motion within 20 days after service of a final order. This subsection </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">does not apply to s. 17.025 (3) (e). No agency is required </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">to conduct more than one rehearing based on a petition for rehearing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">filed under this subsection in any contested case.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(2) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The filing of a petition for rehearing shall not suspend or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">delay the effective date of the order, and the order shall take effect </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">on the date fixed by the agency and shall continue in effect unless </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the petition is granted or until the order is superseded, modified, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">or set aside as provided by law.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(3) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rehearing will be granted only on the basis of:</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(a) Some material error of law.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(b) Some material error of fact.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(c) The discovery of new evidence sufficiently strong to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">reverse or modify the order, and which could not have been previously </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">discovered by due diligence.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(4) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Copies of petitions for rehearing shall be served on all parties </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of record. Parties may file replies to the petition.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(5) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The agency may order a rehearing or enter an order with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">reference to the petition without a hearing, and shall dispose of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">petition within 30 days after it is filed. If the agency does not enter </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">an order disposing of the petition within the 30−day period, the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">petition shall be deemed to have been denied as of the expiration </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of the 30−day period.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(6) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Upon granting a rehearing, the agency shall set the matter </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">for further proceedings as soon as practicable. Proceedings upon </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">rehearing shall conform as nearly may be to the proceedings in an </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">original hearing except as the agency may otherwise direct. If in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the agency’s judgment, after such rehearing it appears that the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">original decision, order or determination is in any respect unlawful </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">or unreasonable, the agency may reverse, change, modify or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">suspend the same accordingly. Any decision, order or determination </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">made after such rehearing reversing, changing, modifying or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">suspending the original determination shall have the same force </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and effect as an original decision, order or determination.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 7px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">History: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1975 c. 94 s. 3; 1975 c. 414; 1977 c. 139; 1979 c. 208; 1985 a. 182 s. 33t; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stats. 1985 s. 227.49. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This section does not require service of a petition for rehearing within 20 days of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DOR v. Hogan, 198 Wis. 2d 792, 542 N.W.2d 148 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Ct. App. 1995), 95−0438. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A petition is filed when it is physically delivered to and received by the relevant </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">authority. Currier v. Wisconsin Department of Revenue, 2006 WI App 12, 288 Wis. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2d 693, 709 N.W.2d 520, 05−0292.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 7px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Rules: PSC 2.28 Wis. Admin. Code</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PSC 2.28 Reopening. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If the commission does not decide </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a request made under s. 196.39, Stats., within 30 days after the filing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of the request, the request shall be deemed denied.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 7px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">History: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CR 00−187: cr. Register June 2002 No. 558, eff. 7−1−02.</span></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. QUESTION THREE:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(1) Do you know if the American Transmission Company (ATC) has filed for any such "Change" request under </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wis. Stat. § 196.39 and Wis. Stat. § 227.49, and if so, what was the nature and result of such request? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">ANSWER: </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Yes. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">In the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Decision and Order, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Docket 05-CE-113 October 30 2001</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">(p. 58), the PSCW approved </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">of $165,721,000 for a transmission project.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> Less than two years and two months later, after ATC said it needed more money, the same agency approved $420,308,000 as the reasonable cost of project. (Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, Docket 05-CE-113 Order Modifying Final Order, December 19, 2003, p. 3). </span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">----------End Of Questions & Answers----------</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">SUMMARY</span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Well citizens, you have read the legal stuff, now lets talk about what BVCC has concluded from all of this.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Cambria;"><b>1.</b> There is no certainty in a PSC final decision.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Cambria;"><b>2.</b> Legal maneuvering behind the General Public View is allowable by Wisconsin Statue and PSC proceedings.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Cambria;"><b>3.</b> ATC requested a "Petition For Rehearing" (Docket 05-CE-113) and was granted their request to increase the cost of the Arrowhead-Weston Transmission Line by an additional $254,587,000.00 (over 254 Million dollars above the projects approved application cost)!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Cambria;"><b>4.</b> It is now a certainty that "Nothing Is Certain" and that any portion of a utility application can be modified later. When a project promoter tells Public citizens what the project will cost, what it will deliver, and how it will be constructed, the public needs to be aware that once in the door, all bets are off. What you see, may not be what you get. Can the Public trust Wisconsin's government, its regulatory agencies or special interest project promoters? Very good question?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Cambria;"><b>5.</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Cambria;">Recently, BVCC has learned of other concerning issues regarding the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin. According to our sources, one of the Commissioners of the PSC (in the above cited ATC Petition For Rehearing) was later named to a high level executive position within ATC. Another PSC Commissioner (who granted the ATC Petition For Rehearing for the Arrowhead-Weston Transmission Line project cost increase) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Cambria;">has since been left the PSC and has been promoted to a high level appointment in the Obama Administration's U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) electric transmission over-site and grid planning sector. The current PSC Chairman served in the Wisconsin Legislature during the time ATC was granted its authority to act as an extension of the State of Wisconsin (for the purpose of eminent domain seizure</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Cambria;"> of citizen lands required for ATC's electric utility corridor construction). Another current PSC Commissioner is on the Board Of Directors of the Organization of Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) States (the bulk electric distributor network grids in the Continental U.S. - Midwest region, and in Canada. BVCC is not alleging that an impropriety has occurred within the PSC. Rather, BVCC is suggesting (given the extremely sensitive nature of the Public Service Commissions authority - and sworn commitment to protecting the Public interest) that any hint of impropriety should be strictly avoided. And, when personal gain (and career incentives) enter the broader picture, suspicions run high! The simple way to pose the intended question here is: How can any PSC Commissioner make an unbiased, neutral, and fair decision (in any given Public Utility Case) if they have any outside professional or financial interests (or bias based on history) that could influence their decision? There is no wiggle room in this quandary! Especially since, only three individuals are appointed to sit on the entire Public Service Commission (PSC) bench, and their decisions are "Final," subject to revision or rescission!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Cambria;"><b>6.</b> Closing Note: Remember the end summary of the U.S. financial sectors run amok documentary "Inside Job" (highly recommended and award winning) by the filmmaker: Charles Ferguson (2010)? <b>Stay tuned for "Part Three," because this BVCC investigation is not over. BVCC has asked the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to respond to the same set of BVCC questions (listed above). BVCC is patiently waiting for their reply. There are still some rocks to turn and look-see. Keep the lights on!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.ne</span></b></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-81783305447757759272011-06-30T22:43:00.000-07:002011-07-01T21:37:53.344-07:00BVCC EVENT REVIEW & EVENT CALENDAR. POSTED: June 30, 2011.<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">EVENTS, </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">CALENDAR & LETTERS</span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">June 30, 2011.</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></span></i></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">EVENT NEWS</span></span></b></span></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></i></span></span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">June 28, 2011. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) has been informed by another source that we have been remiss in not reporting the publishing of another critical study entitled <b>"2010 Long-Term Reliability Assessment"</b> published (October 2010) by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), based in Princeton, NJ. NERC is an international regulatory authority established to evaluate reliability of the bulk power systems in North America and develops and enforces Reliability Standards under the authority of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), since 2007. Here is some of this reports findings:</span></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">----------Begin Quote----------</span></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i>The reliable delivery of electricity to North American homes and businesses is a critical element of North America's way of life.</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i>The electric industry has prepared adequate plans for 2010-2019 period to provide reliable electric service across North America.</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i>Total Internal Peak Demand in the United States is projected to grow at a rate of 1.3 percent per year.</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i>Demand-Side Management programs, which include conservation, Energy Efficiency, and Dispatchable and Controllable Demand Response, provide the industry with the ability to reduce peak demand and to potentially defer the need for some future generation capacity.</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i>The existing electric transmission systems and planned additions over the next ten years appear generally adequate to reliably meet customer electricity requirements.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i>Although the addition of transmission circuit miles indicate positive reinforcement of the interconnected systems, the associated increased use of transmission systems due to increased demand growth, generation additions (especially geographically distant generation), generation deficiencies, and the increasingly competitive bulk power market must also be considered in evaluating overall system strength and reliability.</i></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i>----------End Quote----------</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i>NERC 2010 Long-Term Reliability Assessment</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><a href="http://legalectric.org/f/2010/12/2010-nerc-reliability-assessment-part1.pdf">http://legalectric.org/f/2010/12/2010-nerc-reliability-assessment-part1.pdf</a></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">SUMMARY</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Alright citizens, here we are again, most of us squinting at the notion of "what does all of that (209 page study) mean?" And, once again, the answer is: it depends on your point of view. BVCC holds the point of view that (given our recessive economy and extremely low energy consumption, present and future) planners should not undertake non - essential huge Million and Billion dollar projects (which will further burden all of us, and our children) unless such projects are proven by certified need analysis to be CRITICAL RESERVE PROBLEMS that require IMMEDIATE FIXES. From that perspective, a review of this NERC study confirms there are no immediate CRITICAL PROBLEMS identified in Wisconsin, or for that mater the Midwest Region, or beyond. To the contrary, "Anticipated, Prospective, Adjusted and Potential Reserve Margins" are currently comfortable in 2010 and are projected to do nothing but increase in reserve margin capacity from 2014 to 2019. As to the question of low voltage upgrades, this is a another matter all together (which can be dealt with in a budget format (and at a much lower cost to benefit ratio). Although the "Addition of Transmission Systems" are credited as positive, the report makes a point to stress that factors such as growth, generation, and competitive bulk markets, need to be adjusted according to changes in those sectors. The question could then be asked: Why build all this new transmission construction? Answer: Because there is excess energy generation and the wholesale market <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">(monopolies) </span></i></span>need to find a way to sell it! What is evident is that there is a North American Continental Grid Master Plan that has big ambitions. And that plan calls for electric rate payers to pay to build it, so the big generator and transmission corporations can cash-in on the Federal Governments deregulation policies (which were initiated in early 2000). Now, BVCC is not saying that the CapX2020 or the ATC Badger Coulee proposals have no data on which to base their projects ambitions, because they do. The problem lies in the interpretation and the intended use of that data. Look at it this way. If you were selling cars for a living, would you put a sign in front of your car dealership saying "Don't Buy My Cars, Ride The Bus?" No! What you're sign would probably say is "You Need To Buy My Cars, Don't Ride The Bus." The same applies to the selling of transmission lines. Only we just don't have the cash to buy an electric Cadillac. We need to take the peddle operated bus for a while. Besides, we have pretty good buses already, and they cost a lot less to deliver the same advantages. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">So, it all comes back to showing the public the critical need data in your proposal draft applications. Mrs. Capx and Mrs. ATC, you ladies need to show us the critical data under your cosmetics, now, during the "Public Information Phase." Or should I say, during the "Where Do You Want The Lines Put Phase?" We need you to turn the light switch on and show us what you have hidden in that closet!</span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</span></b></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></b></i></span></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-23837091661465953522011-06-28T02:14:00.000-07:002011-06-30T23:32:25.111-07:00BVCC EVENT REVIEW & EVENT CALENDAR. POSTED: June 28, 2011.<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">EVENTS, </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">CALENDAR & LETTERS</span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">June 28, 2011.</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></i></span></i></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">EVENT NEWS</span></span></b></span></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></i></span></span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">June 28, 2011. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) recently received an inside information tip that introduced BVCC to an enlightening electric system wide reliability study (prepared on behalf of the Clean Energy Group's Clean Air Policy Initiative) sponsored by some of the largest power generator companies in North America. This study was completed in August of 2010 by M. J. Bradley & Associates LLC of Concord, MA, and is entitled </span><span class="Apple-style-span">"Ensuring a Clean, Modern Electric Generating Fleet while Maintaining Electric System Reliability."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> This study highlights EPA impact, possible power plant retirements, and reliability issues throughout all eight of the Electric Reliability Regions (ERR) within the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) consisting of eight electric reliability regions within North America. Here is some of what this study reports:</span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">---------BEGIN QUOTE---------</span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Existing power system capacity well in excess of minimum reserves levels, relatively modest projections of load growth over the next several years, a large amount of proposed generating resources throughout the country, and the availability of load management practices indicate the electric system should be able to handle the transition to a cleaner, more efficient generation fleet.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Electric System Has Substantial Excess Generation Capacity and Appropriate Processes in Place to Assure Reliable Electricity Supply to Customers.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Moreover, as a result of the economic recession, [North American Electric Reliability Corporation] NERC projects "significant reduction in projected long tern energy use in North America" which provide an addition capacity cushion.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Plans are underway for a variety of new plants, even as less efficient ones are retired.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Moreover, the industry has shown previously that it can efficiently add capacity or respond adequately to potential reliability issues.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Although California and the Northeast account for over half of the total, budgets for ratepayer funded [Energy Efficiency] EE programs are expanding in all regions of the country.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Proven pollution control technologies are widely available to dramatically reduce emissions of NOx, SO2, mercury, and other HAPs from coal plants, which account for 98 percent of the electric sector's SO2 emission, 86 percent of its NOx emissions, and 98 percent of the electric sector's mercury emissions.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Current industry practice and review of applicable system data indicate the industry is well-positioned to respond to [Environmental Protection Agency] EPA's mission to "help millions of Americans breath easier and live healthier" without threatening electric reliability.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The existing substantial excess capacity, the industry's proven track record to timely construct new generation and to efficiently coordinate the scheduling of planned outages, together with capacity upgrades, transmission enhancements, "Smart Grid" investments, fuel conservation, [demand reduction] DR, and [energy efficiency] EE, should mitigate reliability concerns.</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The industry has already successfully employed these various strategies to reliably meet customers energy needs while reducing environmental impacts, and it will continue to do so in response to EPA's new regulations. As a final backstop, existing statutory, market and regulatory safeguards will facilitate the retirement of inefficient units, and orderly transition to cleaner, more efficient generation.</span></span></span></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--------END OF QUOTE--------</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Ensuring a Clean, Modern Electric Generating Fleet while Maintaining Electric System Reliability.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.stopthelines.com/downloads/MJBAandAnalysisGroupReliabilityReportAugust2010.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></i></span>http://www.stopthelines.com/downloads/MJBAandAnalysisGroupReliabilityReportAugust2010.pdf</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">SUMMARY</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Wow! Wait a minute here. Everything in this extensive twenty-seven page study says that all our electric engine needs is a "tune up" and it will run just fine thank you! That's not what special interest promoters of multi-Million dollar high voltage - high capacity transmission line projects (like CapX2020 and the Badger Coulee line) have been promoting. According to their sales pitches Wisconsin and the Midwest is behind the eight ball and unless we install new gigantic transmission lines that connect to new gigantic sources of energy generation (like the coal fired ones in the Dakota's) we could be left in the dark, unable to turn the lights on. Now, tell me citizens, who is not telling the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me? </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Maybe Mr. CapX and Mr. ATC have some new questions to answer from the public? As the great comedian Ricky Ricardo use to say, "Lucy..you got some explain-in to do?"</span></b></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</span></b></span></i></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-51659577393390065082011-06-26T13:18:00.000-07:002011-06-26T19:28:06.272-07:00BVCC EVENTS, CALENDAR & LETTERS. POSTED: June 26, 2011.<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">EVENTS, </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">CALENDAR & LETTERS</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">June 24, 2011.</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></span></i></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">LETTERS</span></span></b></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></i></span></span></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>June 19, 2011. </b>ATC sent (a nine page response letter), complete letter content is available on the Town Of Stark website, to the Town Of Stark-Energy Planning & Information Committee, in response to their letter regarding (27) questions the committee posed to ATC regarding its high voltage - high capacity electric transmission line called the Badger Coulee (BC) proposal. Here is some of what ATC had to say:</span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"I've enclosed responses and supporting information for the questions from you April 18, 2011 letter. Please note that some of the questions are not within the project scope, do not have a definitive answer at this time, contain unfounded assertions, or request information that is not readily available from ATC."</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"ATC studies [not provided or referenced] indicate that the proposed project [ATC-BC] would deliver benefits [not specified] to Wisconsin that exceed the costs of constructing the project" [no data provide].</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"The BC line would provide utilities with greater access to the wholesale electricity [no mention of sources or cost] market with potential [you mean like maybe] savings that can be passed on to electric customers." [cost of electricity in Wisconsin is highest in Midwest-thanks to existing wholesale Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) rates].</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"The BC line could [maybe-but not conclusive] allow the closing of older coal plants [who is proposing that Mr. ATC?] should the utilities wish [wish list again] to do that." [A wish list scenario at rate payer expense-and to the great profit of ATC]</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"In 2010 ATC customers [did you mean the customers not in the ATC-BC plan area?] used the transmission system [who's system?] to import electricity more than 88 percent of the time." [of course, electricity is cheaper from Illinois who is not part of the MISO wholesale market like Wisconsin. Your argument makes no sense Mr. ATC]</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"ATC plans to submit an application for this project [BC] in 2013. <b>The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) will evaluate the need and benefits." </b>[Not good enough Mr. ATC. The public wants the need and benefit data now, during the <b>"Public Information Stage."</b> Or, more appropriately put, during your <b>"Where Do We Put Your Towers Phase"</b>]</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"Between $12 to 20 Billion <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">dollars </span></span></i></span>[only a 8 Billion dollar fudge factor] would be needed to safely and reliably deliver the wind power [at a cost that would make it very expensive] needed to meet the Renewable Portfolio Standards set by MISO." [Wisconsin can meet its renewable goals using the existing or upgraded low voltage alternatives, thank you Mr. ATC, at much less cost]</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"ATC is responsible for proposing the BC project and not in a position to address the cost of projects outside of the service area." [Excuse me Mr. ATC but you previously referenced your participation in a 20 Billion dollar renewable energy portfolio, but you don't know what other projects cost? Come on!]</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"As currently proposed, the cost of the project [BC] would be spread among electric ratepayers in the ATC service area." [Will ATC make any investments from its net profits in this BC line?] Answer: "None". [No investment - no loss, right Mr. ATC? Build it and they will pay]</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">------End of letter questions------</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></i></b></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i>Ok citizens, had enough? Do you think BVCC is beating-up on ATC? </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i>Or not? Mr. ATC is a pretty tough stakeholder, but so is BVCC and the Public. Send us an email and let us know what you think about keeping the lights on?</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-81571020102659909892011-06-24T19:23:00.000-07:002011-06-24T19:45:06.845-07:00BVCC EVENTS, CALENDAR & LETTERS. POSTED: June 24, 2011.<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">EVENTS, </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">CALENDAR & LETTERS</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>June 24, 2011.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">EVENTS</span></span></b></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">June 21, 2011.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The Baraboo City Plan Commission of Wisconsin meet last Tuesday and agreed that placing the proposed American Transmission Company (ATC) high voltage - high capacity Badger Coulee (BC) transmission line through their "Baraboo Bluffs" was not a good idea. The commission sent a preliminary recommendation to the Baraboo City Council suggesting that (if it must be constructed) the ATC-BC line should follow the proposed interstate 90/94 route. The commission will meet later with ATC to hear their presentation. BVCC would encourage the Baraboo City Council and the Baraboo Plan Commission to also contact organizations like BVCC to get the real side of the story.</span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">CALENDAR</span></b></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Date To Be Announced.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The Sauk County Board Of Supervisors Chairman (Marty Krueger) has announced that (during the first half of July, 2011) there will be a joint session of the Sauk County Planning & Zoning Committee and the Sauk County Land Conservation Committee for the purpose of hearing presentations from the American Transmission Company (ATC), and from proposal challengers like the Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC), regarding their analysis of the ATC-BC proposal. The intended end result of this joint committee meeting will be an informed "position or resolution statement" which (when completed) will be forwarded to the full body of the Sauk County Board of Supervisors for their consideration. Thank you Marty Krueger!</span></i></span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">CITIZEN LETTERS</span></b></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>June 24, 2011. </b><i>Citizen [Bill M.] attended the ATC open house in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, last Thursday and wrote the following:</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"As you would expect, they [ATC] made a pretty good impression and it's clear they are allocating a lot of resources in this effort. Because there still exist so many potential corridors, attendees can't get a sense of a "clear and present danger". That will change as the alternative corridors are eliminated. It's pretty clear that if they don't use the Interstate corridor, that there is a choke point where all the remaining alternatives come through [the town of] La Valle near the Hwy 33 & 58 junction. The people they have there are friendly, expert in their fields, talk and answer question freely. The only reticence to be specific is in the planning area. The Planning Group says that making details publicly available would create competitive advantages for some distributors. I don't know enough to understand that. There is a Midwest Consortium of distributors that I suspect is the real power behind this project. As I see it, they are the ones who will realize the financial gain from this project. I imagine they have a lot of clout with the PSC, legislators and Governor. I wonder what sources the PSC uses for its input in order to evaluate need."</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</span></span></span></span></i></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-88680741638206209392011-06-23T14:43:00.000-07:002011-06-24T14:58:23.340-07:00BVCC EVENT REVIEW & EVENT CALENDAR. POSTED: June 23, 2011.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6743869637443512710" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>REVIEW & CALENDAR POSTING:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>June 23, 2011.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>REVIEW</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">February 9, 2011.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The Winona Post posted an article outlining why the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) determined that the CapX2020 electric transmission line application was incomplete. CapX2020 will now have to go back to the drawing board and pay more attention to the details in their application. Thank you PSC!</span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Article link: </span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ilsr.org/capx/020911winonanpost.pdf">http://ilsr.org/capx/020911winonanpost.pdf</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">June 21, 2011.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) attended the Sauk County Board of Supervisors Meeting in Baraboo, Wisconsin. BVCC presented our "Energy Application Resolution." This is a format for all Municipalities to use for the purpose of encouraging the American Transmission Company (ATC) to provide the public with the need data (and other studies stipulated within the resolution) regarding its Badger Coulee high voltage - high capacity electrical transmission corridor. We encourage every Village, Town and City in Wisconsin to adopt this resolution, forward it to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and send a copy to ATC.</span></span></i></span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>June 22, 2011. </b>Letter to BVCC from citizen Joe M. who writes: "</span></span></i></span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks for all you are doing to expose the hypocrisy of ATC in this project. We think that a well-informed, well-organized and vocal citizenry is an essential component to defeating these projects. In Minnesota, we spent way to much time and money focusing on legal and regulatory challenges and not enough getting citizens involved and informed and active</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. These power companies may win with the regulations and law - it's an insiders game. They can't control, and don't know how to respond well to, knowledgeable and upset citizens."</span></span></span></span></i></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></i></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">June 22, 2011. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Letter to BVCC from citizen Liamjp writes: "</span></span></b></span></span></span></i></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>The British Army used to have an offense of "dumb ignorance" where the miscreant was judged too stupid to grasp he had given offense. This state of affairs is TREASON through dumb ignorance on a grand scale."</i></span></span></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-84443302936324809442011-06-23T01:39:00.000-07:002011-07-01T21:46:59.055-07:00BVCC INVESTIGATION REPORT. WHO CHANGED THE RULES? POSTED: June 23, 2011.<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></b><br />
<div style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>BVCC INVESTIGATION REPORT</b></i></span></span></b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Who Changed The Rules?</b></i></span></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>PART ONE</b></i></span></span></b></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323cfc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></b></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;">B</span>VCC received the following question from citizen [Tom G.] inquiring</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> as to: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"How, why, and where was a "renewable energy percentage of transmission mandate" removed from a previously approved Certificate Of Need (CON)? </span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>BVCC thought this question was important and initiated an investigation. BVCC contacted Legalectric and the Overland Law Office, located in Red Wing, Minnesota, and asked for some clarification. What we found was very interesting, and makes for a great point of discussion. Especially for those in Wisconsin who have been assured (by current special interest marketing campaigns) that the proposed Wisconsin CapX2020 high voltage line and the proposed ATC-Badger Coulee high voltage line projects will deliver "potential" green wind energy, thus suppressing any potential anti-coal allies. Of other importance, in this questionable <span class="Apple-style-span">ruling by the Minnesota Public Utility Commission (PUC), were requests made by opponents asking for new "Evidentiary Proceedings" (presenting new data to show electrical consumption had declined, thereby reducing the application's need) which were denied. Here is what Legalectric and the Overland Law Office reported.</span></i></span></span></b></div></div></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">---------- BEGINNING OF QUOTE ----------</span> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Arial</span>; color: #223cfb}
</style> </span></b></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The "Wind Conditions" are Order Point 3 (A-D) in the “FINAL ORDER” attached, the earlier orders, prior to modification, are in the “Order Granting…” document. Xcel’s argument is in the “Applicant’s Reply to Petitions…” document.</span></b></div></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="p1"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Short story: There was a condition proposed, and the Public Utility commission (PUC) adopted it. At the “Motion for Reconsideration” stage, the Minnesota Office of Energy Security (MOES) wanted to modify it and Xcel Energy wanted to remove it, but PUC reconsidered, modified it, and left it in.</span></b></div></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(3). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Commission hereby grants Applicants' request for Certificates Of Need for the Up Sized Alternatives for each of the proposed 345 kV transmission projects. The Commission grants a Certificate Of Need for the Brookings Project provided that they comply with the following conditions to the extent possible:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> A. Applicants shall sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) or commit to utility-owned renewable generation projects within the time frame of Minn. Stat. § 216B.1691, coordinated with the proposed in-service dates of each segment of the Brookings Project.</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> B. Applicants shall submit network (firm) transmission service requests to the Open Access Same Time Information System of the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (MISO), for the total amount of new capacity enabled by this line to attempt, to the extent lawfully possible, to try to achieve full subscription of the capacity for renewable generation.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> C. Applicants shall make a compliance filing within 30 days of obtaining the Certificates Of Need, detailing the allocation of the new transmission capacity among owners. The compliance filing shall address how much capacity will be enabled by this transmission line; the allocation of the capacity among Applicants; and the type of MISO transmission service. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Applicants will seek to serve the renewable generated electricity to be carried on this line, recognizing that MISO allocation and restriction of MISO managed transmission capacity is beyond the scope and authority of this Commission.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> D. As necessary to comply with condition A., Applicants shall designate the new, renewable commitments as Network Resources pursuant to MISO's federal Transmission & Energy Markets Tariff, and seek the designation as soon as permitted under the MISO rules, but no later than 10 days after the Commission approves the PPAs or commitments,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> E. Applicants shall report to the Commission any changes at MISO or the federal level that could affect these conditions.</b></span><br />
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<div class="p1"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><b>What’s important here is that:</b></b></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><b>It’s ONLY for the Brookings line and has nothing to do with Hampton - La Crosse.</b><b> The Applicants have NEVER claimed that this LaX line is for wind (in Certificate Of Need or any Routing Proceeding Application or testimony). Xcel Energy is on record on that in the RUS hearings, "no, it’s not for wind." And in each routing proceeding in the testimony in the Evidentiary Hearing.</b></b></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Take a deep breath here and refocus citizens. This is the "real-speak" that goes on behind closed doors when only the insiders are watching, or hearing, except for a few of us locals who follow this closely! Here are several "non-legal" opinion points BVCC would like to make:</span></i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>(1) Simply put, the answer to the original question from citizen [Tom G.] is that there was an attempt (filed 30 days after receiving its Original Certificate Of Need) by the Certificate Of Need holder to remove all of the PUC "Wind Conditions" and renewable energy mandates contained within the PUC's "Original Order" (the ruling in favor of the applicants Original Certificate Of Need Application). However, the PUC did not grant all of the applicants modification requests. Yet, if one carefully examines the complicated and additional revised language (used in the PUC "Final Order)," there appear gray areas left to interpretation, and future court proceedings could follow, which visit this issue again. Of special interest is the removal of the previous PUC ruling language, specifying the broad Certificate Of Need project coverage phrase "this transmission line," (meaning the three total projects included within the Original Certificate Of Need, (including the "Brookings Project", the "La Crosse Project" and the "Fargo Project)." In its place the PUC inserted a much more limited scope requiring only the "Brookings Project" alone to meet the revised "Final Order," (regarding renewable and "Wind" energy mandated quotas), with provisional reasons for non-compliance. That, in itself, was a big sea change from the applications PUC's "Original Order." Did the Certificate Of Need holder get all the modifications they wanted? No! Did the holder get significant modifications? Yes! Maybe the phrase, "its not set in concrete," would be fitting here?</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i></i></span></b></span></div><div class="p1"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>(2) Two of the five appointed Minnesota Public Utility Commissioners (PUC) [Thomas Pugh and Phyllis A. Reha], who issued the Original "Order Granting Certificates Of Need With Conditions" [50 page legal document], were asked by NoCapX2020 lawyers (prior to the PUC hearing decision on this matter) to recuse (remove) themselves from this application due to their prior activities (regarding the content of their previous speeches and attendance at public and private special interest events) that had the "appearance of impropriety." Both Commissioner Pugh and Reha declined that recusal request.</i></span></i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i></i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>(3) Energy policy making decisions at the Public Service Commission level in Wisconsin (as in Minnesota) are not an easy read for most citizens, and special legal expertise is required before you can play in that "sand box." Its "hard ball," not "softball." BVCC is strongly encouraging public elected officials (and citizens alike) to demand that ATC provide the public with all of the ATC-BC need and study data requested of it, now (during the Public Information Phase of its ATC-BC Application). Once the ATC-BC proposal leaves the public domain, special interests will put on their "big-shoes" and go "step-in."</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>(4) Current electric energy generation and transmission technologies cannot (to the best of our knowledge) guarantee (or specify a consistent amount of) any measurable reliable level of green wind (or other renewable energy source) delivered on any given high voltage - high capacity transmission line, unless all other generation facilities (on any given grid) are shut down (or taken off the grid supply), leaving only the green generation source as the sole energy provider. Given the nature of grid reliance on generation capacity for unscheduled peak loads (or peak demand reserves) this off-line scenario is almost certainly never going to occur, under normal conditions. So, if someone say its "clean if its green" look again. The "green" color you are promised may be more like "black", the color of coal. This is not to say that (green) is not good. To the contrary, (green, and all like energy colors in that spectrum) are great, and need to be tripled by 2015. We need more "green" in our electric soup. We just need to know what were buying when we walk down that soup isle. When you hear the words "potential renewable energy," turn the lights on, and take a close "look-see." There just might be a uninvited bug floating on the top of your soup bowel.</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>(5) We at BVCC hope this "Part One" of our investigation provides you with some useful information. But, were not finish yet. BVCC will make a request (of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin) to inform BVCC of whether it is possible to modify the stipulated conditions of a previously approved Public Service Commission (PSC) Utility Application Ruling in Wisconsin? And, if so, how many times has this type of "Motion For Reconsideration" occurred in Wisconsin's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>PSC history?</i></span> We will also contact another prominent legal firm in Wisconsin to ask them the same question. We will let you know the results in "Part Two" of this investigation.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Send us an email and let us know what you think?</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>We are always looking for your good questions and inside information from trusted sources. A pdf of the above PUC decisions and the applicants motions are available by request.</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</i></span></b></span></div></div></div><div class="p1" style="color: #323cfc; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
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</b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-72977127828394897752011-06-21T23:29:00.000-07:002011-06-23T03:22:30.311-07:00BVCC PRESS RELEASE: LAUNCHING OF ENERGY APPLICATION RESOLUTION CAMPAIGN.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>ENERGY APPLICATION RESOLUTION CAMPAIGN.</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) announces the launching of its new <b>Energy Application Resolution Campaign</b> to encourage the American Transmission Company (ATC) to make public its Badger Coulee (BC) proposal need data and provide the public with additional Independent Energy Studies (IES) regarding the ACT-BC Application. <b>BVCC has publicly made it clear that BVCC would support the ATC-BC project if the ATC-BC need data, and Independent Energy Study (IES) data, (requested within the Energy Application Resolution) demonstrate that the ATC-BC Application proposal is the best option (compared to other alternative cost/benefit solutions) to solve the Demonstrated Need Formula Study (DNFS). </b>BVCC will now begin the process of working with local effected Township and County level municipalities to consider adopting this Energy Application Resolution. Once adopted, both ATC and the PSC should be notified accordingly of the Energy Application Resolutions request for this data, and Independent Energy Study (IES) data, to be provided to the public in a timely manner, long before the Public Information Phase of the ATC-BC Application is completed. BVCC designed this campaign with the goal of encouraging cooperation (among all interested parties) and the sharing of critical data and information with the public (which is very capable of assimilating and processing this data). As always, BVCC is available to receive your comments and questions.</i></span></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Energy Application Resolution</span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">WHEREAS, American Transmission Company (ATC) has proposed to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) to construct an electrical high voltage-high capacity transmission line corridor known as Badger Coulee (BC) (that may directly effect our municipality) we the municipality known as: _________________________________ hereby are resolved to pass an Energy Application Resolution mandating that ATC provide our municipality a certified copy of the following during ATC’s Application Information Phase (or as stipulated herein).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">(1) ATC-BC Application Phase Draft to include: a Demonstrated Need Formula Study* (DNFS), verified by an Independent Energy Study ** (IES)?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">(2) ATC-BC Application Phase Draft to include: a Cost Benefit Alternative Comparison Study*** (CBACS) verified by an Independent Energy Study ** which demonstrates the most cost effective solution to the Demonstrated Need Formula Study* (DNFS)?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">(3) ATC-BC Application Phase Draft stipulations to include: all prudent measures to protect and/or avoid endangered and sensitive natural resources, maintain current appraisal standards regarding eminent domain land buys, and guarantee that all encroachments meet current DNR, Federal and State Park preservation standards?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">(4) ATC-BC Final Application ninety days prior to the Final Application submission to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC)?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the aforementioned Municipality hereby approves said Energy Application Resolution adopted on this date: ___________________________ 2011.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>* Demonstrated Need Formula Study (DNFS): A comprehensive analysis of electric power sector energy data including: historic, current, projected energy use, and historic, current, projected energy generation and transmission capacity.<br />
** Independent Energy Study (IES): A comprehensive analysis of energy study data (conducted by an Independent Energy Consultant) charged with the task of publishing an objective analysis.<br />
*** Cost Benefit Alternative Comparison Study (CBACS): A comprehensive analysis that examines all options available to meet the Demonstrated Need Formula Study (DNFS)*, which specifies objective recommendations as to the most cost effective solutions. <br />
Pub. 6.20.11 <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Need a pdf of the Energy Application Resolution?</b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</b></i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-78382605035296848532011-06-21T22:26:00.000-07:002011-06-23T03:21:35.220-07:00BVCC NEWS REPORT. POSTED: June 21, 2011.<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">RECEIVES BVCC</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"ENERGY APPLICATION RESOLUTION"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) offered public comment before Wisconsin's Sauk County Board of Supervisors (SCBS) meeting held in Baraboo, Wisconsin on 6-21-2011. The message BVCC delivered was short and brief. We submitted a resolution format called the "Energy Application Resolution" followed by our 3 minute synopsis on American Transmission Company's high voltage - high capacity Badger Coulee electric corridor proposal.</b></i></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>This "Energy Application Resolution" is part of a new BVCC campaign to encourage ATC to reveal to the public vital data and proposal information the public has requested regarding the ATC Badger Coulee Application, now before the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin. For more details please see BVCC Press Release: June 22, 2011. </b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</b></span></span></i></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-55777443220371824392011-06-20T16:43:00.000-07:002011-06-20T17:13:38.137-07:00BVCC NEWS REPORT. POSTED: June 20, 2011.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;"><b>SIERRA CLUB PUBLISHES TRANSMISSION LINE POSITION</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;"><b>"PULL THE PLUG ON COAL BY WIRE".</b></span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) is pleased to see that the Sierra Club's Maryland Chapter (still waiting on the Wisconsin Chapter to wake up) has published its position statement on high-voltage-high-capacity (HVHC) electric transmission lines. This is a comprehensive history of Maryland's </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>citizen struggle to stop the proposed Pontomac Edison Company's "Pontomac Appalachian Transmission Highline" (PATH). It also chronicles the history behind U.S. Federal energy policy from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the goings-0n of local politics, and the tenacity of citizens who objected to the PATH-HVHC proposal (until it was defeated). Of special interest are the citizen arguments against the PATH proposal based on reduced historic and projected energy use data. This is encouraging news to Wisconsin citizens who may not know their own strengths, when it comes to "fighting a good fight" or "challenging a tough challenge." Keep the lights on!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>SIERRA CLUB OF MARYLAND </i></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://maryland.sierraclub.org/action/p0204.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">http://maryland.sierraclub.org/action/p0204.asp</span></a></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let BVCC know when you get news that might be of interest to consumers and citizens alike regarding current topics of interest in you're community.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</span></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-15747087640139408482011-06-20T16:09:00.000-07:002011-06-20T17:10:25.350-07:00BVCC QUESTION FROM THE BACK ROW. POSTED: June 20, 2011.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>QUESTION FROM THE BACK ROW.</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>WHO CAN WE CONTACT FOR LEGAL ADVICE ON ENERGY & TRANSMISSION LINE ISSUES?</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) is often asked to provide legal assistance in citizen actions to protect their land rights and other environmental issues. BVCC is not staffed to provide legal advise and does not offer legal opinions on any topic or subject matter. However, although BVCC does not specifically endorse any one legal source, we are of the opinion that citizens and local government bodies should become aware of their legal rights, and of legal services, which we think are worthy of consideration. BVCC will add to the following resource list as sources become available (listed in order received). Your contact comments and referral suggestions are always welcome.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>LAND RIGHTS WISCONSIN</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.landrightswisconsin.com/"></a><a href="http://www.landrightswisconsin.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">http://www.landrightswisconsin.com/</span></a></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CITIZENS ENERGY TASK FORCE</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.citizensenergytaskforce.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">http://www.citizensenergytaskforce.org/</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE SERVICES</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://ceds.org/index.html">http://ceds.org/index.html</a></span></span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Contact us at: </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;"><b><a href="http://"Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition >" <buckwheatvalley@mwt.net>">Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition</a></b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span></div></i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-89545685667345407612011-06-20T01:15:00.000-07:002011-06-20T01:15:44.375-07:00BVCC NEWS REPORT. POSTED: June 20, 2011.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>NEW PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) has learned that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has appointed Ellen Nowak as the new Public Service Commissioner (PSC) for Wisconsin. She was formerly Chief of Staff to Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas, and previously served as legal counsel to the Speaker's Office in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2002-2006. BVCC extends best wishes to Ellen Nowak. BVCC trusts that she will make smart consumer focused decisions to meet the many challenges ahead. There are now two commissioners sitting on the PSC appointed by Governor Walker. How politics plays out in this commission's rulings will be of great interest to everyone. The best outcome would be if the new PSC lived up to its name, and was "politic neutral."</i></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-91013306499902085862011-06-19T23:12:00.000-07:002011-06-20T13:13:07.215-07:00BVCC NEWS REPORT. POSTED: June 20, 2011.<div style="text-align: center;"></div><h1 class="blog-entry-title" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 3px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">ATC & DOT Effort To Revoke Land Rights Defeated</span></h1><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i>Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) has been informed by Land Rights Wisconsin that efforts by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) and the American Transmission Company (ATC) to introduce legislation to revoke critical land owner rights have been defeated. The attempt to ram-rod these land owners rights revocations into law were made by inserting law changes into the Wisconsin Budget of 2011. This time the gate was closed, and the attempt has failed. BVCC has apposed this effort since we first learned of it from the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee's (JFC) late night session in May of 2011. This should give consumers a window-view regarding special interest hard-ball activities, in real time. <b>Keep vigilant citizens,</b></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i><b> and keep your lights on.</b></i> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6184242917969714645.post-73249006505432495102011-06-18T16:37:00.000-07:002011-06-20T13:46:22.724-07:00EDITORS OPINION: SQUEEZING THE NUMBERS.<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://buckwheatvalleycitizenscoalition.blogspot.com/2011/06/editors-opinion-call-for-answers.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">EDITORS OPINION: </span></a>SQUEEZING THE NUMBERS.</b></span></h3><div class="post-header" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5256313975061555275" style="position: relative; width: 520px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7862513133354515340" style="position: relative; width: 490px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) has been very aware of recent public statements by vested interests who want to push "High Voltage-High Capacity" national electric grid proposals through the regulatory process in Wisconsin, and other midwestern states. In order to accomplish their goals they have skillfully put together data that represents their version of need and reliability. However, BVCC is also skilled in the interpretation of those numbers and finds many such claims to be flawed and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">skewed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">. BVCC </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">cautions</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> all consumers to be aware of what we call "Squeezing" the numbers. This a process where by numbers (data) are taken and compressed to make the end result of those numbers represent the goals of the "Squeezer." When you hear special interest claims like: increased </span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">reliability, has the potential of, we anticipate, we expect, estimates are, could bring in, and other such phrases, think about the use of "Squeezing" and see if it applies to claims you see in the media. If you have followed other special interest endeavors, you know exactly what I mean. If your are new to the term "Squeezing" you will be enlightened when you wake up to how wide spread this practice is in our American culture. The old adage: "What you see, is not always what you get" is very appropriate in understanding this concept.</span></i></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Alvin Brinkman, Public Relations, Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition, Editorial Opinion, Pub.No.6-18-11.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net</i></span></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com