EQB-4410 rulemaking comment

Laura and John Reinhardt th3552 26 Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55406 612.724.0740 June 18, 2003 VIA EMAIL & MESSENGER DELIVERY Alan Mitchell Minnesota Environmental Quality Board 300 Centennial Building 658 Cedar Street St. Paul, MN 55155 Re: Reinhardt Comments to EQB’s Proposed Permanent Rules Governing Environmental Review of Electric Power Generating Plants and High Voltage Transmission Lines in Proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission, Minnesota Rules 4410.7010 to 44010.7070 Dear Mr. Mitchell: We hereby request that a public hearing be held concerning the proposed rules referenced above. Our specific comments and objections to the proposed rules follow. Proposed Rule 4410.7015 – DEFINITIONS Subpart 5. “Environmental Report.” This section defines the environmental report as a written document that will describe the “human and environmental impacts” of a proposed project and alternatives to the project, along with methods to mitigate anticipated adverse impacts. However, the current rules for environmental review of large energy facilities at the certificate of need stage require that the review include “economic, employment, and environmental impacts, of the proposal and reasonable alternative facilities” (Minn. Rule 4410.7100, subp. 3(C); 4410.7500, subp. 3(C)). For some reason which it does not explain in its Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR) concerning these proposed Rules, the EQB dropped ...