ACTION ALERT: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Hearings on “Hiawatha Project” High Voltage Power Lines

January 10th and January 12th, 2012

 For the past several years, the Midtown Greenway Coalition has worked with an alliance of other neighborhood and community organizations to oppose the installation of high-voltage power lines in the Midtown Greenway Corridor.  See artist’s rendering below.

In 2010, based on the testimony of many individual citizens and the concerted efforts of neighborhood groups, the Midtown Greenway Coalition, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) recommended that if the Hiawatha Project power lines were built, they should be routed underground under 28th Street, not overhead and not on the Midtown Greenway.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will take the ALJ recommendations into consideration, but the Commission has the authority to decide whether the power lines will be built, where and under what conditions.  They will make these final decisions in January 2012.

The Commission will hold a public hearing on January 10th in the Large Hearing Room on the 3rd floor of the Metro Square Building, 121 7th Place E., Suite 350, in Saint Paul.  The hearing will start at 9:30 a.m. or shortly after.  

The Commissioners will first hear from the parties, who include the Midtown Greenway Coalition and many neighborhood groups as well as Xcel Energy, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and several business interests.  The Commission will then allow members of the community to speak.

The Commission will hold a second hearing on January 12th at the same place.  This meeting will also start at 9:30 a.m. or shortly after.  At this hearing, the Commissioners will talk amongst themselves and make their decisions.  It is important that members of the community come to this hearing also, so that Commission members will be reminded that they are accountable to the community as well as the utilities.

Our goal is to have at least ONE HUNDRED community members at each hearing to show support for upholding the ALJ’s recommendation to bury the lines under 28th Street.   Commit to being there and to bringing your friends with you, and help us reach our goal.

For more information and background on the Hiawatha Project, visit the Midtown Greenway Coalition, Xcel Energy, or the Public Utilities Commission pages.

Thanks to all of our members and supporters who have made the work of the Midtown Greenway Coalition a smashing success. We have created a great Greenway that is getting better all the time and the thanks goes to YOU, those who have helped out with financial support and valuable volunteer time. 

The Midtown Greenway Coalition is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. 

Visit the calendar to find an opportunity to donate your valuable time.  To access archives of our quarterly print newsletter go here.  Spread the word. Forward this to your friends.

Stay connected!  Become a Fan of the Midtown Greenway Coalition on Facebook.

 2834 10th Ave S Greenway Level Suite 2 | Minneapolis, MN 55407 US

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