Count Minnesota House Republican Rep. Chris Swedzinski as part of the crowd that is against Xcel Energy transmission lines becoming part of the local landscape.
Swedzinski, a Republican who represents District 15A, which includes all of Lyon County, attended last week’s public scoping meeting on the project. In an interview with the Tracy Area Headlight Herald last Thursday, the longtime representative said landowners should have a say on whether or not they want to have the transmission lines on or near their property.
“The State is forcing the coal plants to shut down and is going to force this development,” Swedzinski said, referring to the Sherco coal power plant in Becker, which is being phased out so Minnesota can meet the 100% clean energy by 2040 law. “They should at least get permission from landowners, rather than using the power of state government to fill one party’s need to do this.”
See more in this week’s paper!