Opinion ID: 797855
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Requests for CIP Payments

Text: 19 In June 1999, Jennings had a legislative staffer research the amount of money utility companies spent each year under the CIP. Jennings gave this information to James, who in turn calculated that Northern Pole should seek a percentage of the CIP conservation funds from various utility companies. James provided a target of $1.4 million to Jennings, which then became the budget that Northern Pole provided utility companies. During this time, James and Jennings brought George Vitalis back to act as the nominal president of Northern Pole in meetings with Jennings and utility companies. Jennings and James explained the plan to obtain CIP funds from the utility companies to repay the loans to Jennings. Vitalis agreed to help. 20 During the 1999 legislative session, Jennings approached utility company lobbyists for NSP and Minnesota Power, 4 seeking their support for his legislation to amend the CIP to include research and development projects. After the legislation was enacted, Jennings approached these same lobbyists for assistance in getting the utility companies to provide CIP funds to Northern Pole. Jennings arranged and attended meetings with utility company officials and Vitalis. 21 Jennings and Vitalis met with company officials to pitch the Northern Pole proposal. Jennings told company officials that Northern Pole was a constituent and stated that he had no other interest in Northern Pole. Jennings made it clear at the meeting that the project was important to him, and the utilities decided to fund Northern Pole. 5 Company officials testified that during internal discussions at both companies, officials worried about Jennings's reaction if they declined to participate. One employee was told the decision to fund Northern Pole was a result of the influence and pressure applied by Loren Jennings.