Xcel cuts off negotiations

The burner project is looking deader all the time:

Xcel leaves developers powerless on ‘Midtown Burner’ project

This isn't over but a takeaway at this point is this: if you attended a meeting, talked to a neighbor, wrote the Mayor or a City Councilperson or State legislator, or if you emailed the MPCA or did anything to voice your objections or concerns about the Midtown burner proposal you have had an impact. The only thing that stands in the way of boondoggles like the Midtown Eco-Energy burner are the people who stand up to voice their concerns.

If you stood up, now would be a good time to give yourself a pat on the back.

Cumulative Pollution Impact

A bill passed the Minnesota Legislature requiring that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency consider the cumulative pollution impacts of the proposed Midtown burner before granting a pollution permit.

Steve Brandt from the Strib has written an article about the bill.

The existing law does not require the consideration of the cumulative impacts, which is kind of like hearing your doctor tell you it's okay to eat another donut even though you've had 10 already today because he doesn't consider the cumulative effects of eating multiple donuts. The neighborhoods near the burner already suffer from a variety of pollution -- considering the cumulative effects of yet another pollution source makes sense.