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Call Now: Stop Taxpayer Give Away to Excel Energy's nukes

Xcel Energy and their army of lobbyists have authored and are trying to fast track a bill regarding upkeep costs at their MN nuclear plants in Monticello and Prairie Island. Cynically they call this a Carbon reduction facility designation. Call your State Representative or Senator now.

 (See the fun explanatory video link below.)

 Here's the deal, as described by MN350.org.
The problems:
  1. It gives Xcel a blank check to make a profit and recover overrun costs from their customers through 2034.
    1. Why this matters: The current estimate is $1.4 billion dollars but Xcel has a terrible track record of managing upkeep costs at their nuclear plants: Cost overruns at the Monticello plant were $400 million! Why should Xcel customers have to pay for poor management?
  2. They are attempting to bypass the normal process at the watchdog agency, the Public Utilities Commission.
    1. Why this matters: The normal process at the Public Utilities Commission, a consumer-watchdog agency, is to oversee Xcel’s actual expenses before agreeing on a fair rate that Xcel can then charge their customers. The rate includes recouping expenses plus a reasonable profit for Xcel. The Commission has prevented Xcel from earning a profit from on the nuclear plant cost overruns in the past, when they and other agencies have determined it was “imprudent management” on Xcel’s part. This process protects the Xcel ratepayers. This bill would give Xcel a blank check up front, before their expenses are known, and the capability to come back for more.
  3. This bill offers no solutions on what to do with nuclear waste.
    1. Why this matters: It’s short sighted!
What can you do?
1) Contact your representatives and Governor Dayton! Scripts are below.
2) Attend the hearing this Tuesday, 3/20 at the capitol. The details may change (and we’ll let you know if they do), but for now, here’s the plan:
MN Senate Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee
Tuesday, March 20
1pm-2:30pm
Minnesota Senate Building, Room 1150
95 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55155
If you would like to attend the committee meeting, please contact your liaison or mysti@mn350.org to get more information.


Thank you for your help!

 Script:
Governor Dayton/Representative/Senator ____, I am calling to let you know that I am strongly opposed to HF 3708/ SF3504. I do not believe that Minnesotans should be allowing Xcel to determine the amount of taxpayer money that they receive, particularly because they are attempting to bypass the Public Utilities Commission. I do not want money flowing unchecked into the hands of a company that has had a history of cost overruns and “imprudent management” according to the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Commerce and the Attorney General. Do not support this bill.

 Watch this video. It's a fun explanation of this rip-off.  https://ilsr.org/video-xcel-blank-check-minnesota-2018/

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