Xcel Energy�s voluntary metro area coal plant clean up, Metro Emissions Reduction Program (MERP), is reported to be the largest proposed coal pollution reduction in the Great Lakes region. The plan involves the conversion of the St. Paul�s High Bridge Coal Plant and Minneapolis� Riverside Coal Plant to natural gas, plus the installation of new emission control technology at Stillwater�s King Coal Plant. It would also convert this plant to natural gas.
Between September 2 -17th, the PUC held 8 public hearings throughout Xcel's service area to determine public thoughts on Xcel's voluntary Metro Emissions Reduction Plan (MERP). The North Minneapolis hearing held this past Wednesday had 200 attendees. Those who provided testimony included Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, State Representatives Joe Mullery (58A), Keith Ellison (58B) and Jean Wagenius (62B); State Senator Linda Higgins (58); Hennepin County Commissioners Peter McLaughlin and Gail Dorfman, and other officials who spoke along with about 35 community residents. Many told the Administrative Law Judge about asthma cases and mercury contamination in fish. A North high school science teacher testified that more and more of her students require inhalers. Following are the results of these hearings. The information has been compiled by Michelle Rosier, Sierra Club Air Toxins Organizer ([EMAIL PROTECTED] ): Total public attending public hearings (does not include presentors, organizers, and the like): 532 Total in opposition to MERP testifying at a public hearing: 10 Total with unclear positions to MERP testifying at a public hearing: 15 Total in support of MERP(primary) testifying at a public hearing: 112 *testimony does not include numbers from Stillwater public hearing because of computer problems. I would estimate 20 in support, 2 in opposition from Stillwater. I am working to recover this information.* Montevideo: 5 attending 3 testifying in opposition NE Mpls: 58 attending 28 testifying in support Winona: 21 attending 4 testifying in support 1testifying in opposition 3 unclear opinion in testimony Mankato: 47 attending 11 testifying in support 2 testifying in opposition 1 unclear opinion in testimony Stillwater: 75 attending estimated 20 testifying in support estimated 2 testifying in opposition St. Cloud: 37 attending 9 testifying in support 1 testifying in opposition 5 unclear opinion in testimony St. Paul: 89 attending 25 testifying in support 2 testifying in opposition 5 unclear opinion in testimony N Mpls: 200 attending 35 testifying in support 1 testifying in opposition 1 unclear opinion in testimony Ms. Rosier is also complying information on letters to the editor, editorials, public official testimony, etc. I will forward that information once I get it. Batala-Ra McFarlane for Environmental Advocates of Minnesota (EJAM) Old Highland REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
