It will be a cold winter in Lake Wobegon, sans some units

摘要

Count on a few coal-powered units to remain on the idle list in Minnesota due to continuing rail issues. David Boyd of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, deadpan-delivered this Keillor-esque chestnut: "We don't call it the Polar Vortex in Minnesota. We call it winter." He spoke Thursday at the National Coal Council annual meeting near Washington, DC. Boyd should know. He's NARUC's electricity committee chairman and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission vice chair. Rail service "has been an issue in Minnesota," with the governor and senators repeatedly contacting the Surface Transportation Board, he said.