ELR Citation: 51 ELR 20163
No(s). A19-0688 and A19-0704 (Minn. Ct. App. Aug 23, 2021)

A state appellate court upheld the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission's (MPUC's) approval of affiliated-interest agreements for construction and operation of a natural gas-fired power plant in Wisconsin. Environmental groups argued substantial evidence did not support MPUC's determinations that the plant was needed and served the public interest better than a renewable resource alternative. The court found the record revealed ample evidence that the plant's energy source addressed reasonably forecasted demand, was cost-effective, and was a better option than the alternatives, and that substantial evidence did support the Commission's determinations. It therefore upheld MPUC's approval.