Minneapolis Residents for Clean Air Newsletter

Action Alert #10

http://mplsresidentsforcleanair.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 30, 2008

We've won several important victories inthe fight against the Midtown Burner...but the deal isn't over yet!

Three major victories have been won during the last week:

(For further details on each victory see below)

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Xcel Energy ended talks with Kandiyohi Development Partners [KDP]

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Mayor Rybak withdrew support for extending the current land-sale contract with KDP

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The "Cumulative Impact" bill was signed into law by the Governor

These are tremendous victories - and your actions have all made a difference. Butthe fight is not over yet!!

In the past, KDP has been able to secure several extensions on contracts with the Minneapolis City Council andwe're concerned that they'll be granted another. For the last 3 years, Kandiyohi Development Partners hasstruggled to meet contract requirements on the land sale for the proposed burner. Twice the Minneapolis CityCouncil has granted extensions to the deadline, as well as amending contracts to make it easier for KDP to meetcontract requirements. Most recently, KDP failed to produce a "power-purchase agreement" (a contract thatwould show that someone would actually buy the power generated by the facility) and the City of Minneapolisgranted KDP another 60 day period to "cure the default" (in other words, meet the requirements).

Kandiyohi has until June 9, 2008 to produce a power-purchase agreement from a viable utilitycompany.

As they work towards this goal, there are many hurdles for them to jump. But stranger things havehappened! Recently, on the heels of Xcel's decision to end negotiations, Kandiyohi Development Partners soughtmeetings with three City Council members: Scott Benson, Robert Lilligren and Gary Schiff. In addition, manymembers still appear to support the project: Scott Benson, Sandy Colvin-Roy, Elizabeth Glidden, Betsy Hodges,Diane Hofstede, Barbara Johnson, Paul Ostrow and Lisa Goodman (as an investor in KDP, Goodman has recusedherself).

Until the contract is officially terminated, anything is possible.

What you can do now:

You have made your concerns known - and it's made a powerful difference! Xcel listened. The Mayor listened.

Now we need the City Council to do the same.

As of today, only three City Council Members have taken apublic position of opposition to this project, Gary Schiff (Ward 9), Cam Gordon (Ward 2) and RobertLilligren (Ward 6).

Tell the City Council to follow Xcel's leadand say NO to any contract extensions!

Click here to find your City Council member:http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/