Honor the Earth: Initiatives: Energy
Justice: Non-renewable
Energy: Mega-Hydroelectric:
What's New: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission|
Honor the Earth: Initiatives: Energy
Justice: Non-renewable
Energy: Mega-Hydroelectric:
What's New: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission |
|
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According to a press release from Fresh Energy, formerly ME3 (Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy), "In a stunning move today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission rejected the recommendations of its own staff by refusing to require Xcel Energy to monitor and report on the human rights impacts of the hydropower it purchases from Manitoba, Canada. The Public Utilities Commission's staff recommended a framework and mechanisms for monitoring the efficacy of the Northern Flood Agreement, signed by the Province of Manitoba, the Government of Canada, and five impacted Cree Nations in 1977. The Commission rejected the recommendations in a 3-0 vote. Commissioners Kenneth Nickolai and Thomas Pugh were not present. "Fresh Energy is very concerned about how this decision will impact Minnesota's renewable energy economy," said Ken Bradley, Fresh Energy Senior Policy Associate. "The Public Utilities Commission has less restrictions on Canadian hydropower than on Minnesota's own renewable energy generation." "It is distressing to us and should be to Minnesotans and Manitobans that Xcel Energy has received a free pass from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission with regard to monitoring and reporting the environmental and social impacts of hydropower generation," Bradley continued. "The Commissioners' rejection of their own staff's recommendations will have negative consequences for both Canadian indigenous communities and Minnesota renewable energy developers." |
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