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Published November 03, 2009

Minnesota Power: Going green means a rate hike chat

By Candace Renalls, Duluth News Tribune

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Joan K.
Duluth, MN     11/03/2009 12:55 PM

For every green job created in Spain three regular jobs were lost. Green jobs cost more money, lose jobs for others and what for? There is no global warming causes the Earth to be destroyed. Al gore has now just become a billion aire with his junk science. Now maybe he can drive around in his limo, fly in 2 or 3 private jets and leave a carbon footprint made of dollar signs. We have all the energy needed for this country. Start locking up thses evironmental terrorists who spew lies.

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Mike B.
11/03/2009 12:51 PM

When will people wake up and realize that "being green" is a scam. Do you folks really think you can impose all sorts of restrictions on big companies and they'll just bend over backwards and take it? Solar and wind power are great, but now you have to pay twice as much to have a plant to back them up when they don't produce any power. You can be as green as you want in this country, but realize you're just moving the problem somewhere else.

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Sara L.
11/03/2009 12:47 PM

Yet another reason why so-called 'green energy legislation' makes zero sense. Everytime new liberal government regulations come into play, guess who pays for it?! (You can point at yourself now) Let the liberals who want to pay for this do so, and leave the rest of us alone.

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Michael C.
Kenyon, MN     11/03/2009 12:45 PM

It's clearly stated in the state legislation that REQUIRES 25% be renewable energy that ALL COSTS related to installation of that energy are to be passed along to the consumer. Whomever voted those legislators into office needs to look in the mirror and say "What a genius am I!!!" Next time, think before voting.

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Pam M.
Wrenshall, MN     11/03/2009 12:24 PM

All these new taxes imposed on us are about paying for the global government that will shortly be forced upon us. The UN is behind all of this. To create a new structure, you must first tear down the old. The U.S. is incrementally being dismantled. World government is what this is all about. There will be no sovereignty of nations. It remains to be seen, though, if the global elitists can pull this off.

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James S.
Duluth, MN     11/03/2009 12:04 PM

What is Cap & Trade? I am constantly surprised how many people in our community don't know what it is about! All I ever hear about increased electric bills are it is all Minnesota Power's and Lake Country Power's fault, those greedy power companies! Go back to grade school, if you can pass the entrance exam. Drive up to the Range by Virginia. You can see 10 of these joke windmills on the Laurentian Divide just sitting there. Not spinning at all. As far as I am concerned, MP&L and Lake Country Power should send the bills to the DFL and the Democratic National Committee instead of passing off the costs to our local residents!

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jerry n.
11/03/2009 11:23 AM

Meanwhile China brings on dozens of coal fired power plants. I can't remember if that is per day, week or month. So our expensive plans do little to nothing to change anything other than costing Americans money they don't have.

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Truth In Duluth E.
11/03/2009 11:00 AM

When I was in graduate school, I studied public utility finance and regulation. When the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission decides what expenses to include in Minnesota Power's rate base, they are, in effect, setting a targeted rate of return for Minnesota Power shareholders. While not a true "guarantee" for the rate of return, the targeted return removes almost all of the risk (associated with the variability of returns). Rate of return should be based on risk so if the risk has been reduced or even eliminated, the targeted rate of return should also be lower for a regulated monopoly like Minnesota Power. Unfortunately, it is not. Minnesota Power shareholders earn a higher rate of return, somewhat guaranteed by the State, that is not warranted by the reduction in risk. More of the costs of "becoming green" could be and should be borne by Minnesota Power's shareholders.

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geo m.
11/03/2009 10:49 AM

Ka-ching! 'change you can believe in' More of the Obama legacy.

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Eric L.
11/03/2009 10:39 AM

Think long term. Coal is not long term. Think about mercury (coal fired power plants are the largest source of Hg emissions in the US) and fish consumption limits. Nahh, think about your self and your own myopic short term gains. Drive your ATVs and snowmobiles and jet skis and motor boats and riding lawnmowers and complain when a person wants peace, quiet, and clean air (they are all simply and only liberal enviro-whacko's, right?). All too much hyperbole and rhetoric from both "sides" (remember, there's always more than the simple picture we are provided with from the left and from the right). Or, just rant and rave and think that you know it all. Closed minds effect little positive and lasting change.

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