SARGEANT – Great River Energy continues to pursue the necessary permits for its new power plant in Pleasant Valley Township, Mower County.

Friday, February 04, 2000

SARGEANT – Great River Energy continues to pursue the necessary permits for its new power plant in Pleasant Valley Township, Mower County.

Meanwhile, the Mower County Board of Commissioners awaits GRE’s reply to their letter request for a subsidy for the county.

If that is forthcoming, it will make the county board’s decision to endorse GRE’s application for a personal property tax exemption that much easier to make.

An administrative law judge from the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings will hold two public hearings on GRE’s proposal. They are on Feb. 23 immediately after two public information meetings, scheduled at 1 and 7 p.m. at the Sargeant Community Center.

The hearings are necessary for the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board to establish a complete and accurate record regarding the two power plant sites and 345-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line routes being considered.

GRE of Elk River proposed a 434-megawatt simple cycle combustion turbine generating plant about 20 miles north and east of Austin in Pleasant Valley Township.

The natural gas-fired power plant will be used for electric peaking purposes.

GRE has received the EQB’s authorization for two proposed sites and two 345-kilovolt transmission line routes for consideration at the Feb. 23 public hearings.

GRE’s preferred site is in the northwest quarter of Section 19 in Pleasant Valley Township and the alternate site is located about two miles south.

Munoz was taken into custody early the next day, June 14.

According to the indictment, Munoz told authorities he stabbed Castillo because the victim had threatened to kill him.

Munoz, an admitted illegal alien, will have his correct name, Marceil Rodriguez Lopes, used in the court proceedings.

At today’s omnibus hearing, defense attorney Buetel called Austin Police Detective Sgt. Thomas A. Stiehm to tell of the circumstances of Munoz’s arrest and the questioning that followed.

Then, Buetel called the defendant, who required the services of certified court interpreter Cecelia Roberts.

The detective’s and the defendant’s stories conflicted. Stiehm said he observed correct procedure, but was unaware of the necessity to advise the suspect of his Geneva Convention rights as an illegal alien.

Munoz testified the detective screamed at him to "tell the truth" and he was afraid.

Rysavy said he would take under advisement the defense motion to suppress the defendant’s taped confession.

Buetel will submit his brief after reviewing a transcript of today’s omnibus hearing. It is due Feb. 18.

Then, Oman will have a week to review the transcript and defense brief and must submit his response by Feb. 25.

Rysavy will take the information under consideration before issuing a ruling.