Xcel Energy, dominant producer of electrical power in the Upper Midwest, Colorado and western Texas, has had its proposed addition to the solar generating project adjacent to its Sherburne County Generating Station in Becker, MN approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Upon completion the installation will replace Unit 1 and its 680 MW of coal-fired power.
“We thank the Commission, Minnesota Department of Commerce and labor partners for their support of our solar portfolio,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy for Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. “Sherco Solar will provide the lowest-cost solar on our Upper Midwest system, and these projects demonstrate our focus on clean energy without compromising affordability.”
"Chris is leading the company’s Upper Midwest (Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota) visionary energy transition and delivering on customer energy solutions, all while ensuring clean and reliable energy at affordable prices. He’s responsible for the strategic plan and financial results of the company as well as customer, community, regulatory, legislative and governmental relationships in all three states.
Chris co-chairs the Minnesota Department of Transportation Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council with Minnesota Department of Transportation Assistant Commissioner, Sustainability and Public Health, Tim Sexton. Chris is a member of the Minnesota Governor’s Advisory Council on Climate Change. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies (CTS). He is a member of the board of directors of the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance.
Chris previously served as co-chair, appointed by former Governor Dayton, of Minnesota’s Connected and Automated Vehicle Task Force with former Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle in 2018. He also served on the board of directors of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and Drake Law School."
Clark is an attorney, a necessary qualification for the Advisory Council on Climate Change. And, as a member of the Executive Committee of the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies, he's another example of many of the close affiliation between academia and government.
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
The design and construction of the project is being done by National Grid Renewables LLC, whose Vice President for Development is Nathan Franzen, husband of Melisa Lopez-Franzen, former State Senate Minority Leader and current Director of Communications at the University of Minnesota.
A cynic might come to the conclusion that this project is actually being done by the State of Minnesota itself in conjunction with the University of Minnesota.
According to Solar Power World:
The project will provide economic benefits in Becker and the surrounding area. Sherco Solar will provide nearly 400 union construction jobs. The project will use Xcel Energy’s Power Up workforce and development program, designed to integrate women and people of color who are underrepresented in the utility industry and building trades. The Public Utilities Commission and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development were key in shaping the program.
In other words, skilled and experienced union Caucasian workmen will go to the back of line or be entirely ineligible for employment on the project.
review-journal.com
A solar array in Nevada that will produce 100 MW of power to supply the needs of 5 Las Vegas casinos.
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