Looks like Xcel Energy has a **Potential** new power line that’s going to be built in one of two proposed routes. One of them has local residents really unhappy.
Here’s Five Fast Facts About the Power Line in Renville County:
- 🔌 Power Train - The project will move renewable energy from Lyon County to Becker in Southern Minnesota. It’s expected to cost around $1.4B.
- 🚜 Plowing Through - The more southern of the two routes would run through eastern Renville County. While it does mostly follow the roads, it also does cut through agricultural fields in several places. Residents aren’t happy.
- 🔋 Adjustments - One county board member pointed out that the route also doesn’t match what they were originally pitched, and that has led to a lot of people who are unhappy with Xcel’s proposed compensation.
- ⚡ Objections - The board also pointed out that the current plans do not allow Renville County to earn any kind of economic benefits and that they’d be left with the ugly results of the transmission lines. Yuck.
- 💡 I Promise - Xcel said they’ll totally review landowners’ objections and that adjustments could be made. The representative then backed into the bushes and disappeared like Homer Simpson.
🔥Bottom line: Utility companies are gonna behave like utility companies and they have a long history of using whatever land they want, in part because they have the money to get it. If Xcel chooses this route, Renville County has a long fight ahead.
What do you think of the line?
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