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Recent Articles from Drew Kerr
Xcel wants out of Goodhue wind deal
Controversial plans to build a $180 million wind farm in rural Goodhue County appear to be on life support. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy has told the state’s Public Utilities Commission that it is “unable to wait any longer” and wants to break a 20-year power purchase agreement with New Era Wind Farm LLC, the developer behind the long-stalled 78-megawatt wind project.
Legislation to permit street fees riles property owners
Backers of state legislation that would allow cities to collect street fees call it an intuitive way to pay for long-term maintenance. Opponents call it a poorly disguised tax hike.
Rough road ahead for increased transit funding
Legislators taking the lead on Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposed transit tax increase said Wednesday that a lot of “heavy lifting” must be done to ensure the ambitious plan to expand the region’s transit system succeeds.
Minneapolis pushes for TIF legislation
Development of a tax-exempt, city-owned parking lot west of the Minneapolis Convention Center could help pay to build a streetcar line along Nicollet Avenue if state lawmakers approve legislation backed by city officials.
High-speed train to Duluth clears hurdle
A new environmental report on a planned high-speed train from Minneapolis to Duluth didn’t expose significant barriers to its construction, though future funding for the $820 million connection remains undetermined.
State studies public-private road partnerships
Every spring, truck drivers moving lumber in Mille Lacs County face an obstacle: The two-mile gravel road used to reach the Hawkins Sawmill has weight limits that force them to carry half-loads and fill up only after reaching pavement.
$35 million requested for TCAAP-related road work
Ramsey County officials are asking the state to put $35 million into transportation improvements they say are needed to support redevelopment of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills.
Goodhue wind project faces blowback
Minnesota regulators said Thursday that they wanted more time to consider a controversial plan to bring as many as 50 wind turbines to a rural corner of southeast Minnesota, a delay that opponents hope will ultimately scuttle the long-stalled project.
Backers seek to revive commuter rail talk
A decade after state lawmakers barred further discussion of a proposed commuter rail line between Minneapolis and Northfield, community leaders are trying to get the conversation going again.
Advocates renew push for passenger rail
Three years ago, Minnesota put $25 million in bond proceeds toward passenger rail projects in the state, paying for renovations at St. Paul’s Union Depot, construction of the Interchange in Minneapolis and studies of lines to Duluth, Rochester and Chicago.
State senators call for Southwest LRT bonding
A group of local state senators introduced a pair of bonding requests this week that would pay for all or part of Minnesota’s remaining share of the $1.3 billion Southwest Light Rail Transit line.
Transit tax hike seen as ‘game changer’
After years of state budget fights, transit supporters appear to have found an ally in Gov. Mark Dayton. Outlining his state budget proposal on Tuesday, Dayton backed a doubling of the 0.25 percent metro area sales tax, which proponents said would resolve operational shortfalls for existing bus and light rail transit lines, and accelerate construction of new transitways.
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