I've watched a lot of transmission projects come and go, but never have I seen a project that has been so hidden from public notice.  Think about it:  If the public never finds out about it, then they won't form opposition, hire lawyers, and intervene at the PSC.  They also won't generate any negative media or political unpopularity.  A transmission project hidden from public notice is traveling a stressful road richly studded with hidden landmines.  In my opinion, it's a stupid idea headed for failure.

Grain Belt Express "Tiger Connector" transmission project was barely mentioned in Invenergy's press releases earlier this month.  It was hidden in plain sight on the second page of the release, a place reporters rarely go, especially if the "important" talking points are bulleted for them on the first page.  Local press didn't even mention it.  No story, no public notice, no participation, no opposition.

When the project was announced, the few maps that circulated were vague dotted lines on a zoomed out map that only included major roadways.  Transmission developers ALWAYS have detailed aerial photography maps available at Open House dog and pony shows, and increasingly these developers share their maps online well in advance of the "meetings".  Seeing a detailed map of their property with a new transmission line drawn in is often the trigger point for landowners.  But if Invenergy keeps these maps hidden until just two days before the Open House, then less landowners will have an opportunity to see them.  Less notification, less participation at the Open House, less opposition.

And speaking of those Open House "meetings" they are always, and I do mean ALWAYS, the subject of a well-circulated press release for local media, along with paid advertising in print, radio, TV and internet.  The idea of holding these meetings is to gather public input.  But if the public doesn't know about these meetings because the transmission developer has not adequately advertised them with plenty of notice, then the public probably won't attend.  No attendance, no maps, no participation, no opposition.

Invenergy mailed a letter to what it called "impacted landowners" notifying them of the Open House meetings just two weeks in advance.  Actual delivery of the letters was well within that two-week window.  And who is checking to make sure Invenergy's list of "impacted landowners" is accurate?  Even the best transmission developers miss large numbers of "impacted landowners" at this stage, which is why they also buy advertisements and press reporters for news stories.  They may actually want the public to find out and attend the "meetings."  But if a landowner doesn't get a letter, or has a scheduling conflict, then they miss out.  No notification, no attendance, no participation, no opposition.

Invenergy has performed a parody of "public notice" for its Tiger Connector transmission project by not using industry best practices for public notice and hiding "information" in plain sight in places landowners would never look.

The Public Service Commission should be very concerned about these shady practices.  Your elected officials should also be concerned about it.  Please let them know how disappointed you are in "public notice" shortcuts for this project.

You can submit an online comment to the PSC here.  The case number is EA-2023-0017.

Invenergy has created a "virtual public meeting" on its website.  According to earlier statements, it will only be available for a very short time.  You can visit it here.

Be sure to check out the aerial photographic maps all the way at the bottom of the page.  If you don't see them, or can't make them function (which has already been a complaint) you may need to change or update your internet browser.  Don't give up!  But, then again, if half the internet visitors can't access the maps because they are not designed to operate in a wide-variety of internet browsers, then less people see them (we're really developing a theme here!)

The rest of the page is what I call propaganda.  Let's review.

"New power delivery"  In fact, Invenergy claims 2 nuclear power plants worth.  Reality:  Grain Belt is a MERCHANT transmission project.  That means that it will only deliver power to an entity that has signed a contract to pay to use the power line.  Grain Belt cannot and will not just "deliver power" in general.  "Existing customers" have contracted for just 10% of Grain Belt's capacity, although 20% of its new capacity has been offered for years with no takers.  That's right, nobody has purchased 250 MW of service in Missouri that GBE has been offering for years.  All the propaganda and marketing spiel in the world cannot make electric distributors in Missouri buy something they don't need.  Missourians know the story about painting Tom Sawyer's fence very well.  If nobody wants it now, it's probably not marketable.

"New local jobs, spending and tax revenue!"  But selling 2 nuclear power plants worth of extra energy into Callaway County directly competes with the reliable sources of energy Callaway already relies on, such as Ameren's Callaway Energy Center.  The nuclear power plant currently provides thousands of good paying jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue and local community charities.  Which would provide more?  I think it is the Callaway Energy Center, hands down.  Absolutely no contest.  A bird in hand is worth more than the promise of two in the bush.

Invenergy's "experience."  They say, "Invenergy knowns (sic) how to build the right way and has relationships with over 12,000 landowners, more than 80 percent of whom are farmers and ranchers."  But reality is that nearly 100% of these "farmers and ranchers" signed voluntary agreements with the company because they were promised royalties or other payments that "share in the wealth" of Invenergy's land use.  Transmission lines make a one-time "market value" payment for the perpetual use of your land.  No matter how much money Invenergy makes from the transmission line, your compensation will not increase. Invenergy has recently begun condemning the land of folks who won't sign voluntarily.

The cheaper Grain Belt Express is to build, the bigger profit for Invenergy.  GBE is approved to sell its service at market rates.  The price GBE charges is set by market forces.  It is not reliant on its cost to build and operate.  While regulators can limit a jurisdictional utility's profit, the sky's the limit with Grain Belt Express!  Nobody can hold their profit in check.  And the cheaper the project is to build and operate, the more profit is in it for Invenergy!  Perhaps that why, after promising single structure "monopoles" to landowners for a decade, Invenergy recently changed the structures after it purchased the bankrupt project from Clean Line Energy Partners.  Invenergy says all transmission structures will now be cheaper 4-legged lattice construction.  Promising monopoles seems to be a Grain Belt Express bait and switch.

All this same information will be decorating Grain Belt's venue tomorrow and Wednesday on strategically placed poster board easels manned by perky but clueless company representatives.  But we all know that the only thing people come to see are the maps.

Make your plan to attend:

Don't let Invenergy get away with preventing you from getting information about a project that could have devastating effects on your home, your business and your community!

Numerous agricultural associations and business groups across the state have recently expressed strong opposition to Grain Belt Express, a high-voltage electric line proposed to plow through northern Missouri on its way to the east coast.
 
In a recent editorial, Missouri Farm Bureau president Blake Hurst said, “Grain Belt Express has promised a series of steps it says will protect landowners, bragging that landowners will receive 32 million dollars in total compensation.   However, the landowner compensation anticipated from Clean Line is predicated on the use of eminent domain, which means that individual landowners will have absolutely no bargaining power.   Also the idea of promising energy savings to a few, but politically-influential, municipalities so Clean Line can then trample on the rights of others, is a precedent that is distasteful if not downright frightening.”
 
Mike Deering of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association (MCA) said his organization stands firmly behind the protection of private property rights.  “The actions to-date of Clean Line Energy are best characterized as a pervasive invasion of private property rights. MCA fully supports the efforts of Block Grain Belt Express-Missouri to protect landowner rights and opposes Grain Belt Express Clean Line's application to the MO PSC,” Deering stated. 
 
Other agricultural groups opposed to the project include Missouri Corn Growers, Missouri Sheep Producers, and Sydenstricker Implement, one of the largest John Deere businesses in the state.
 
Owner Eddie Sydenstricker, whose business has been serving the Missouri agricultural community for more than 70 years, supports agriculture and landowner rights, and opposes a private-for-profit company obtaining the power of eminent domain.
 
“I believe Grain Belt Express' massive high-voltage DC transmission line will not only violate property rights, but will reduce property value far beyond any token compensation, spoil our rural landscape, create obstacles in fields for our agricultural producers resulting in reduced productivity and increased costs, and it will also limit future options for farms and cause the potential for adverse health risks for residents and their livestock,” said Sydenstricker.
 
Also expressing opposition to the project were several Missouri lawmakers, including 40th District Representative Jim Hansen.
 
"I hope the Public Service Commission can continue to stand with Missouri citizens and their property rights. They voted in support of Missourians the first time around and I hope they will the second time. As a strong supporter of agriculture, which is the key industry in my district, I oppose the efforts of Clean Line Energy, the Grain Belt Express project, and their efforts to obtain eminent domain. I feel it is not right to put the interests of an out-of-state company ahead of Missourians' private property rights. Going forward, I will continue to do all that I can to preserve landowner rights and ensure that the Public Service Commission does not grant Clean Line a certificate of convenience," said Hansen.
 
Eight Missouri county governments have formally withdrawn support of Grain Belt Express, including Caldwell, Clinton, Chariton, Monroe, Audrain, Pike, Marion and Ralls Counties.
 
Ralls County Commissioner Wiley Hibbard said, “The citizens of Ralls County oppose this mega power line.  It is, in my opinion, just an attempt by a small group of investors to make profits from the clean energy movement.  Please know that this is not the only way to get wind-generated power to Missouri or Ralls County.  We are receiving wind energy now. I think that anyone who wants to take our land by force to provide wind energy to the East Coast is just providing another example of the East Coast elitists telling us we do not matter!”
 
The Missouri Public Service Commission has scheduled public hearings in eight counties across the state beginning next week.
 
Jennifer Gatrel, spokeswoman for Block GBE-Missouri urged citizens concerned about this and other attacks on private property rights to attend.  “The PSC listened carefully to our concerns last time they denied this project,” she said, “It is very important that they hear our voices again.”
 
The public hearing schedule:
 
Dec. 7, 2016: Monroe City, Knights of Columbus Hall, 12:00 p.m.*
424 South Locust
Dec. 7, 2016: Hannibal, Theater Auditorium, 6:00 p.m.
Hannibal-LaGrange University, 2800 Palmyra Road
Dec. 8, 2016: Marceline, 12:00 p.m.*
Walsworth Community Center, 124 East Ritchie
Dec. 8, 2016: Moberly, 6:00 p.m.
Moberly Municipal Auditorium, 201 West Rollins
Dec. 13, 2016: Cameron, 12:00 p.m.*
Cameron Community Center, 915 Ashland Avenue
Dec. 13, 2016: Faucett, 6:00 p.m.
Mid-Buchanan High School, Multipurpose Room, 3221 SE Route H
Dec. 14, 2016: Polo, 12:00 p.m.*
Community Center at Stagecoach Park, 1010 Main Street
Dec. 14, 2016: Carrollton, 6:00 p.m.
Rupe Community Center, 710 Harvest Hills Drive
 
*In order to be able to move equipment to the next local public hearing that same day, 12:00 p.m. local public hearings will end no later than 4:00 p.m.
 
For more very important info please visit: http://blockgbemo.com/

Public hearings on Grain Belt Express' most recent application (its third) to the Missouri Public Service Commission are set to begin next week.  Another huge public turnout to oppose the plan is expected. 

None of Clean Line's smoke and mirrors about project "benefits" has any basis in fact or logic.

Clean Line's proposed "income" for landowners is a huge fabrication.  Any payments to landowners are a lame attempt at compensation for property taken from landowners through the courts.  In exchange for payments, landowners would be trading rights-of-way across their property.  Eminent domain law requires the taking entity to compensate landowners for the market value of property taken from them.  It is not additional "income."  Income would allow a landowner to gain something valuable while losing nothing.  The truth of the matter is that Grain Belt Express is proposing to make landowners whole for property taken from them.  It's a wash, not a gain.  It's no different than Walmart showing up at your house and cleaning out your pantry and freezer and then giving you "market value" for the goods it has confiscated.  Meanwhile, Walmart has your food and can sell it to others for a profit.  There are no benefits to landowners from construction of Grain Belt Express.

Clean Line's claims of increased tax revenue for counties crossed is another disingenuous glittering generality.  In essence, it is a proposal that economic development opportunity trumps your right to own and enjoy property.  Everyone's house would generate more tax revenue if it was a Walmart.  Economic development alone is not reason enough to trample on private property rights.  This is even more true when looked at through the public utility lens that Clean Line hides behind.  Public utilities have enjoyed eminent domain authority when a project is necessary to serve the public.  It's a high burden that a utility must carry to demonstrate that its project is necessary to serve the public.  Simply stating that if property is taken and a project built that a public need will develop, is not enough to carry this burden to take property in the first place.  Especially when the "utility" is Clean Line, who has no firm customers for its transmission line.  It's all based on future speculation, and that's not good enough.

Clean Line's claims of increased tax revenue also fail to calculate any detriments Grain Belt Express will bring to affected counties.  Properties crossed by electric transmission lines lose value.  This lowers the assessed value of affected properties and decreases property tax revenue to the county.  In addition, the burden of hosting the transmission line will cost the county in increased public safety expenses, both during the invasive construction of the project and for years afterwards when the counties must purchase equipment and supplies to prepare for any transmission line disaster that may happen in the future.  For example, substation fires require different types of equipment and special chemicals to fight.  Counties could spend their entire "windfalls" supporting Clean Line's infrastructure in their locality.

Clean Line's claims that its Grain Belt Express project will save Missourians $10M a year in energy costs is not based on fact.  Although Clean Line witnesses make this claim in testimony to the PSC, there is nothing to back it up.  No analysis, no numbers.  Based on documents made public months ago, the $10M claim was concocted by Clean Line when it attempted to sell its capacity to Missouri municipalities.

Preliminary calculations?  Clean Line's calculations, which have yet to be revealed to the public.  "Assuming existing production tax credits" assumes too much.  At the end of this year, the production tax credit will begin phase out and the subsidy for wind energy will be cut 20%.  The following year it will be cut 40%.  The next year it will be cut 60%, eventually disappearing altogether within 5 years.  Couple this with our friend Bob from the Hannibal BPW's recent statements that he has yet to contract for any wind energy to serve the City of Hannibal.  That's because the generators Clean Line says will develop to use its project haven't been constructed yet.  The only thing Missouri municipal utilities have tentatively contracted for with Clean Line is transmission capacity, not energy.  Energy must be purchased separately, and come from the specific geographic area close to Clean Line's proposed converter station in southwest Kansas.  It's not about purchasing the cheapest wind energy available in today's market, it's about speculation with unbuilt generators to supply energy via an unbuilt transmission line.  Too many variables to accurately calculate any cost savings to Missouri, since Clean Line cannot and does not sell any energy proposed to be transmitted to Missouri via its project.  How was this $10M "savings" calculated when there are no energy prices to work with?  Sort of looks like Clean Line simply made it up out of hypothetical numbers presented in a light most favorable to Clean Line.  But, hey, at least the Missouri municipalities have the option to back out of their "contract" with Clean Line at any time in the future and purchase nothing.  If cities sit around waiting for Clean Line to ship them energy from generators that don't exist, at prices that have no basis in reality, then the cities may get stuck paying much higher prices to procure energy down the road if nothing develops and they're left without enough resources to serve customers.  Coulda, woulda, shoulda... by law, utilities are required to have adequate resources under contract, not base their future service on hypotheticals.

And simply parading a collection of politicians and business interests who stand to personally profit from the construction of the project isn't support based on fact and logic.  It's based on money, pure and simple.

True grassroots opinion based on fact and logic cannot be bought.  True grassroots opposition will drown out expensive, manufactured "support" and will carry the day at the upcoming public hearings.  Won't you lend your voice?

The public hearing schedule:
 
Dec. 7, 2016: Monroe City
Knights of Columbus Hall, 424 South Locust
The local public hearing will begin at 12:00 p.m.*

Dec. 7, 2016: Hannibal
Theater Auditorium, Hannibal-LaGrange University, 2800 Palmyra Road
The local public hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m

Dec. 8, 2016: Marceline
Walsworth Community Center, 124 East Ritchie
The local public hearing will begin at 12:00 p.m.*

Dec. 8, 2016: Moberly
Moberly Municipal Auditorium, 201 West Rollins
The local public hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Dec. 13, 2016: Cameron
Cameron Community Center, 915 Ashland Avenue
The local public hearing will begin at 12:00 p.m.*

Dec. 13, 2016: Faucett
Mid-Buchanan High School, Multipurpose Room, 3221 SE Route H
The local public hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Dec. 14, 2016: Polo
Community Center at Stagecoach Park, 1010 Main Street
The local public hearing will begin at 12:00 p.m.*

Dec. 14, 2016: Carrollton
Rupe Community Center, 710 Harvest Hills Drive
The local public hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m.
 
*In order to be able to move equipment to the next local public hearing that same day, 12:00 p.m. local public hearings will end no later than 4:00 p.m.
 
For more very important info. please visit Block GBE-MO.

There they go again.  It's almost time for the 10th Annual (yes, a whole decade of participatory goodness!) Best Practices in Public Participation for Transmission Projects Conference.  Unfortunately, there's no thrilling website contest this year.  That idea seemed to die on the vine after the inaugural year when EUCI's hand-picked website judges selected Clean Line's Rock Island transmission project as the most engaging, creative and useful website for sharing project information with the public.  And how prescient -- the RICL project is still bumping along trying to get approved, after being rejected by 85% of the affected landowners in Iowa.  Just imagine where they'd be without that great website!!

Anyhow, EUCI recommends attendance at this conference for "community group representatives."  Because transmission opposition groups need to learn how to be best participated with, so they can fall for the strategies and methods transmission developers use to positively engage community group stakeholders and overcome project obstacles, such as community group stakeholders. You will leave this conference with practical tools and techniques that can be immediately implemented within your own organization to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the transmission developer's public participation program, and, you know, fall for their crap and start supporting the transmission project that's going to ruin your property.  What's not to like?  It will only cost you $1,595 plus travel, lodging and expenses in Phoenix for a couple days.  So, get those banana muffins in the oven and get busy raising your registration fees today with a bake sale down at the community center!

And what's on the echo chamber agenda this year? 

Crafting a Comprehensive Stakeholder Communications Plan for Your Transmission Project, presented by Pepco, the company whose merger with Exelon was rejected by the DC Public Service Commission this year.  Maybe they should have spent more time crafting a comprehensive regulatory communications plan for their merger?  But I'm sure their transmission project communications plans are spot on!

Or how about Public Outreach in the Pre-Permitting Stage of a Transmission Project, presented by Holland & Hart?  Here you can find out how to anticipate political objections and make sure your purchase of a permit can withstand appeals.

And then there's Case Study: Conducting Public Outreach on a Unique 500 kV Underground Transmission Project by So. Cal. Edison.  I'm guessing this will be a really short one, since underground transmission projects are usually supported by the public without a bunch of political glad-handing, front groups, or advocacy purchases.

And here we go again with the cutsie-poo topic names that have previously gotten EUCI in trouble with Mayberry --  It's Geek to Me: Using Visual Design to Break Down the Technical Language Barrier.  In other words, Mayberry is stupid and can't handle more than three words and a picture.  Although, I do usually advise community groups to use the same tactics to design their messaging materials.  But then again, the public doesn't expect community groups to present their material in any kind of professional fashion that gives off an aura of technical authority.

And don't miss this!  Case study -  CapX2020 Projects:  Public Outreach Lessons Learned Along the Way.  Xcel Energy is going to tell you how they built a whole bunch of new transmission by creating a non-controversial permitting process. 

It's like they had absolutely
no
opposition
at
all!

Amazing!  Maybe next they can re-write some history books to erase awful things like Hitler and Osama Bin Laden, too?  I'm looking forward to Xcel making this world a better place through revisionist history!

But, wait, there's so much more!  Hear ATC explain how it "manages" public fear of EMF and stray voltage issues, even though it's a public perception issue that cannot be alleviated through additional industry studies.  And Tampa Electric Co. will tell you how to "successfully address project opposition."  I wonder if that includes begging?  On their knees?

Arizona Public Service advises how to make those pesky round opposition pegs fit into square utility holes:

...because angry opponents are so easily "steered" by utilities.  Does that require the use of a bee smoker or a stun gun?

Well, one thing's for certain.  It's warm in Phoenix in January.  I hope all the utility yahoos have fun in the sun because they're unlikely to learn anything useful.

The American Legislative Exchange Council describes itself as a "partnership of America's state legislators and members of the private sector."  Why would your legislators need a "partnership" with corporations?  Corporations can't vote!

But corporations need elected officials to make laws favorable to them.  And most politicians are extremely cheap dates.  Buy them a drink and whisper in their ear and they'll toss their constituents under the bus in a heartbeat.

ALEC makes it even more fun by providing "scholarships" for your legislators to enjoy a fun-filled vacation, expensive dinners, golf outings, and beach time in exchange for a few hours listening to corporate agendas and carrying corporate-written bills back to their state legislatures.

It's no different here in the Eastern Panhandle, where the FirstEnergy Legislative Exchange Council will be in full swing wining and dining your legislators during a fancy dinner at The Purple Iris this evening.

Electric conglomerate FirstEnergy (owner of Potomac Edison and Mon Power) is gathering your legislators for a series of private fancy dinners across the state to tell them first hand about FirstEnergy's legislative agenda for the upcoming year.

When a candidate for public office asked for an invitation to this private event so he, too, could learn about FirstEnergy's legislative priorities, he was told:

Oh, so regular folks can't partake of the private Purple Iris sumptuous buffet UNLESS they are in an immediate position to do FirstEnergy's bidding?  This is nonsense, and any legislators who attend should be embarrassed.

...because we will find out who you are, what was said, and any campaign contributions that change hands.

Hey, remember when a lowly reporter crashed a Wall Street secret society dinner and came out with recordings and pictures of the event?  Fun times!

The legislators would do better showing up at the McDonalds right up the street to hear the legislative priorities of their constituents who have been plagued with inaccurate and outrageous electric bills, and incessant rate increases.  Who knows, someone might even buy them some french fries!!!

The eyes.... the eyes....  The eyes are everywhere!  I hope this evening's goodie bag contains Rolaids.  You're probably going to need them.

You're probably anxious to know what I think about PATH's Brief on Exceptions.

And you're probably eager to find out what I think about Trial Staff's Brief on Exceptions.

And I think you're also interested in what I think about the Joint Consumer Advocates Brief on Exceptions.

And you're probably just beside yourself with fervent, giddy curiosity to know what I think about Edison Electric Institute's Motion to Intervene Out-of-Time or, in the Alternative, Participate as Amicus Curiae, and Brief on Exceptions.

Alas, that's privileged information.  Attorney-client privilege between me, myself and I, you know.

All in due time, grasshopper.  All shall be revealed in due time.

No mystery what I think about the Brief on Exceptions of Keryn Newman and Alison Haverty.  Read it.

Now get back to work.  Nobody's paying you to read this blog.

More silly utility "educational" seminars.  This one came in the mail yesterday.  The Financial Accounting Institute has invited me to attend its Utility Finance & Accounting seminars in Las Vegas.

Well, woo hoo, party in Vegas!  Except this party costs $1995, plus travel and expenses.  Sad face.  I guess I'll just have to learn utility finance & accounting on my own.

FAI will be teaching its students all sorts of utility accounting concepts, such as how to tell the difference between capital and expense, and "motivations of managers and top management with respect to the issue."  Wait... let me guess, it's because capital expenses earn a bit, fat, juicy return?  Therefore everything should be capital?

But here's the best part of the whole seminar... one of those really great "role playing exercises."  Who doesn't love a good role playing exercise to introduce just the right amount of realism into your learning experience?

The utility can never be sure their position will prevail?  Well, then the utility isn't doing something right!  See section about "ethics considerations" where you can learn about unethical behavior at some utility companies.  I wonder who's going to play that role?

Why should certain costs not be included in rates?  Because they're below-the-line costs.  Will FAI be providing some sort of effective strategy for the "utility CEO" to use to argue that below-the-line costs should be included in a rate?  And since when does a utility CEO or CFO actually show up to argue anything during a rate case?  For that matter, when does a consumer advocate or large industrial ratepayer show up to argue that below-the-line costs should not be included in rates?  FAI can probably dispense with those roles entirely and replace them with a couple of honey badgers.

Now that's realism!

Who's a key transmission challenge in the Midwest?

You're a key transmission challenge in the Midwest!  The biggest "challenge" to building transmission in the Midwest is the people who are expected to sacrifice their businesses, their homes, their retirement, for benefit of the illusive "communities that have a strong demand for renewable power."

Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. (EUCI) is having another "educational" shindig to discuss you "challenges," and once again, you're not invited.

On November 9 and 10, EUCI will be gathering its fattened cows to the trough in Indianapolis to be "educated" about the following:

This session will address a study paid for by WIRES, "The Voice of The Electric Transmission Industry."  WIRES is made up of corporations who stand to profit from building new transmission.  Apparently we're not planning enough transmission for their balance sheets.  Awwww.....

But then there's this:

Did anyone tell EUCI that the Missouri Public Service Commission recently denied Clean Line's Grain Belt Express application for a 700-mile transmission line through the state?  Fun times!  I hope they're planning to create some space between that guy and...

KURT ALERT!  Amy Kurt, Clean Line Energy Manager for the development of the Grain Belt Express Clean Line, will be "educating" participants about "The Challenges of Renewable Energy Integration," including the sub-topic "Maintaining grid security and reliability while integrating increased penetrations of renewable energy."  I wonder when Amy got her engineering degree that qualifies her to expound on grid security?  Maybe she's been doing it online, in secret?  Or maybe Hans Detweiler taught her how to be an "engineer?"  At any rate don't let Amy sit with Adam at lunch!  "A" is for awkward!

Participants will learn about "Embracing New Communication Technologies."  Good to see that Amy isn't teaching this one, because her communication skills haven't been working too well on the people of Missouri.  Did I mention that the MO PSC denied the Grain Belt Express application Amy "managed" because its benefits didn't outweigh the harm to Missouri citizens? 

So, what "new technologies" will be embraced?

What?  No unit on using change.org to send supportive (but off-topic) comments from your Mommy and Little Sis into a regulatory process?  Well, maybe there's a role for Amy after all!

Unfortunately, the "busy public" interested in transmission isn't interested in a corporate-slanted version of web "facts."  The "busy public" gets its facts from equally busy "public" opposition groups... live and in person, via email, via social media, etc.  Hot time in the ol' tool shed tonight!  Nobody trusts the corporation to be honest, with good reason.

Don't miss Amy discussing:

Be sure to bring your own copy of the "Motion for Leave to File Complaint for Order of Prohibition" pending before the Illinois Supreme Court so you can follow along.

Sounds like a real party, doesn't it?  Unfortunately, it's going to cost you $1195, plus travel and expenses, to get inside.  But who needs to get inside to be a "challenge?"

You know it's a slow news day when...

Honestly, I don't how they expect to attract anyone to this meeting without golf outings, winery tours, massages, and hookers and blow in the Hospitality Suite.  And then the heavies from FERC show up.  Way to ruin the party!

Thirty-seven dozen people showed up at the Fort Smith Convention Center in Fort Smith Arkansas last night to tell the U.S. Department of Energy what they think about the Plains & Eastern Clean Line.  It was a madhouse (in a most literal sense!)

Arkansan Julie Morton summed it all up quite nicely:

Clean Line's spokesman continued to blow smoke up everyone's ass by telling them that they shouldn't be concerned about possible health effects.  I don't think anyone believed him, and judging from his body language, I'm not certain he even believed himself!

What is certain is that the people of Arkansas WILL NOT peaceably accept this transmission line.

It's time for DOE to fall on its sword and stop this travesty!