...or somebody's razor...source uncertain.
"Never assume malice when stupidity will suffice."
This week, the Missouri Public Service Commission rejected Clean Line's second application for its Grain Belt Express project, filed June 30.
The application was submitted without filing the required 60-day notice that an application would be filed.
Perhaps it was malice.
Perhaps they did it on purpose. Clean Line's counsel says they meant to do that.
The application was submitted without filing the required 60-day notice that an application would be filed.
Perhaps it was malice.
Perhaps they did it on purpose. Clean Line's counsel says they meant to do that.
Clean Line contended everyone should have known it was going to file a new application one day. It also contended the purpose of the 60-day rule is to draw a line (a "clean" line?) to begin observing the ex-parte communications rule. So, at some time Clean Line decided privately to stop trying to communicate directly with the Commissioners regarding its project? Explain this.
Obviously, the Commission didn't believe any of your "I meant to do that" hogwash. I don't think anyone else did either.
Perhaps it was stupidity.
Obviously, the Commission didn't believe any of your "I meant to do that" hogwash. I don't think anyone else did either.
Perhaps it was stupidity.
That said, the filing of Clean Lines' application should come as no surprise to anyone paying attention to or interested in the Project. For several months, Clean Line has been very public about its plans to file a new case. News outlets ranging from the New York Times to National Public Radio have noted the Company’s plans to re-file with the Commission. The Company executed a highly publicized deal with the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC). In Clean Line’s own press release of June 3, 2016, regarding that transaction, Clean Line President Michael Skelly noted that the Company plans to apply “for regulatory approval in Missouri soon.”
So now press releases shall serve double duty as official notice? Did Clean Line file its press releases with the Commission?
Of course not! That would be stupid.
And, speaking of stupid, did Clean Line just get so wrapped up in the public relations aspect of its re-filing that it forgot to file official notice? After all, getting Governor Nixon and those "Fortune 500 companies" lined up to make bizarrely self-centered, but supportive, claims in the press isn't something that can easily be kept under wraps for 60 days. Perhaps Clean Line got a little over-eager to begin the puppet show before the audience had assembled? Never let your public relations department direct your regulatory filings, even when your application plainly relies on political, not technical, merits.
Therefore, I'm laughing at you, Clean Line. You tipped your hand 60-days early. Did you mean to do that, too? Which is it? Are you malicious or just stupid? Either way, you lose.
Of course not! That would be stupid.
And, speaking of stupid, did Clean Line just get so wrapped up in the public relations aspect of its re-filing that it forgot to file official notice? After all, getting Governor Nixon and those "Fortune 500 companies" lined up to make bizarrely self-centered, but supportive, claims in the press isn't something that can easily be kept under wraps for 60 days. Perhaps Clean Line got a little over-eager to begin the puppet show before the audience had assembled? Never let your public relations department direct your regulatory filings, even when your application plainly relies on political, not technical, merits.
Therefore, I'm laughing at you, Clean Line. You tipped your hand 60-days early. Did you mean to do that, too? Which is it? Are you malicious or just stupid? Either way, you lose.
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