Powerline Decision Possible This Week

Story by Terry Carter

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has set aside three hours to hear arguments about a proposed high voltage transmission line across south Minneapolis.
Xcel Energy says the new line is necessary to assure reliable service to the area, but some opponents argue the utility should be required to try more conservation measures first.
One key issue is the placement of the line.
More than a year ago, an administrative law judge recommended that the 115-kilovolt line be buried under E. 28th Street – an option that’s more expensive than running the line on towers alongside the Midtown Greenway, a five and one-half mile public bike and pedestrian corridor that runs one block north of Lake Street.
The Midtown Greenway Coalition is planning to have a significant presence at the hearing to advocate for burial of the line - Soren Jensen is the Coaltiion’s executive director. He talked with KFAI's Terry Carter on The Takeaway.