A local lawyer, Joshua A. Newville, is urging the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to investigate Xcel Energy’s utility pole maintenance practices following a tragic incident in Hopkins where a utility pole fell on a car, killing 31-year-old Kenneth Green. Newville, representing no one but his own concerns, sent an 18-page letter questioning the safety of Xcel’s inspection protocols, pointing to Google Street View images as evidence that the pole had been leaning long before the incident.
According to reports, the pole fell just as Green parked his car near his apartment, leading to a fire. Newville is advocating for immediate action, citing potential systemic issues with Xcel’s inspection regime, especially given that their inspections are reportedly conducted every 12 years. Despite a recent inspection deeming the pole compliant, Xcel has acknowledged they are investigating the cause of the failure.
While the PUC has stated it does not conduct independent investigations, it suggested Newville comment on an existing docket, though he believes quicker action is required to prevent future incidents. Xcel maintains that it follows industry best practices in pole inspections, but the question remains as to why this particular pole collapsed.
