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Klobuchar Calls on Federal Agency to Cut Backlog in Renewable Energy Approvals

Urges FERC to reduce queue of applications

January 30, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today expressed her concern over a regulatory backlog that is impeding the construction of renewable-electricity projects such as wind turbines in Minnesota and asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to address the backlog promptly.

“In addition to holding enormous potential for freeing our country from its addiction to fossil fuels, the renewable energy industry is a major stimulant for our rural economies,’’ Klobuchar said. “I am very concerned that delays in connecting these projects to the electricity grid will slow the growth of renewable electricity generation.’’

Klobuchar sent a letter today to FERC Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher, commending him for holding a conference in December to solicit proposals to reduce the backlog and reform the process of reviewing applications. She asked him to evaluate the suggestions as promptly as possible to identify workable solutions.

The FERC’s Midwest regional arm, known as the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, has authority to approve new electricity projects as they connect to the electricity grid. But it currently has more than 280 projects in its queue and some applicants have been waiting as much as two years for approval of their interconnection requests.