Letter: Usher in new era for C-BED status

To the Editor:

Thank you, Commissioners Ted Seifert and Ron Allen, for your pursuit in getting the misuse of the county's original resolution of support of the then Goodhue Wind project the attention it deserves.

Seifert and Allen were well aware that their motion to rescind support would not be passed, thus any argument of them putting the county at risk of suit would not occur. Further argument in favor, however as intended, caused continued and lengthy conversation spotlighting the abuse of C-BED and its intended purpose.

Minnesota tax and ratepayer money funds community-based (C-BED) energy projects and an additional 2.2 cents per kwh to the owner. Fifty-one percent ownership with no more than 15 percent to one owner in original language has been changed to fit this specific project by the Legislature (in a backroom deal) and now requires zero Minnesota ownership — thus allowing 100 percent ownership to anyone from anywhere.

Goodhue County was duped. Reps. Tim Kelly and Steve Drazkowski and Sen. John Howe have asked the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to look into this further. Perhaps we will see a new era with new legislation restoring the intent of C-BED or its elimination.

Rochelle Nygaard

Goodhue

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