se twin cities – rochester, mn – la crosse,wi...rochester – la crosse line, and a proposed...
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SE Twin Cities – Rochester, MN – La Crosse,WI, 345-kV Transmission LineProject Update
Delivering electricity you can rely on
Central Minnesota Municipal Power AgencyDairyland Power Cooperative
Great River EnergyMinnesota Power
Minnkota Power CooperativeMissouri River Energy Services
Otter Tail Power CompanyRochester Public Utilities
Southern Minnesota Municipal Power AgencyWisconsin Public Power Inc.
Xcel Energy
Project Need The CapX 2020 utilities have applied for a Certificate of Need(CON) with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MNPUC) that covers all three 345-kV projects. The CON processwill determine the need for the line as well as its characteris-tics, such as substations and end-points, in Minnesota. To view CON documents, go to the MN PUC’s Web site atwww.puc.state.mn.us, click on E-dockets on the left-hand side,
click on Search Documents and search fordocket 06-1115. In the search field, “06”stands for the year 2006 (when the first CapX2020 document was filed). Use “06” for theyear and “1115” in the second field, thenpress the search button.
The regulatory process in Wisconsin combinesneed and routing into one permit. TheCertificate of Public Convenience and Necessity(CPCN) application will be filed with the Public
CapX 2020 utilities are committed to working closely withresidents, landowners, local and tribal governments, businessgroups, state agencies and other stakeholders to explain theneed for the proposed transmission lines and to determinethe most preferable routes. For more information on the projects, please visit www.capx2020.com.
www.capx2020.com
CapX 2020 is a joint initiative of 11 transmission-owning utilities in Minnesota and the surrounding region to expand the electric transmission grid to ensure continued reliable and affordable service. Planning studies show that customerdemand for electricity will increase by 4,000 to 6,000 megawatts (MW) by 2020. The new transmission lines will be builtin phases designed to meet this increasing demand as well as to support renewable energy expansion. The first group of
CapX 2020 projects (Group 1) is made up of three proposed 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines, including the SE Twin Cities –Rochester – La Crosse line, and a proposed 230-kV line.
SE Tw
in Cit
ies –
Roche
ster,M
N – La
Cross
e,WI
35
35
9090
29
29
94
94
94
94
10
52
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90 52
Rochester
Twin Cities
Bemidji
Fargo
Brookings
St. Cloud
Monticello
GraniteFalls
Marshall
Grand Rapids
Duluth
Alexandria
La Crosse
HamptonRedwood Falls19
CapX 2020 Group 1 proposed project study corridors
*The shaded areas are potential corridors for the proposed lines.
Bemidji-Grand Rapids (230-kV)
Fargo-St. Cloud-Monticello (345-kV)
SE Twin Cities-Rochester-La Crosse (345-kV)
Brookings, SD-SE Twin Cites (345-kV)
35
90
94Twin Cities
52
RochesterNorthRochester
La Crosse
Hampton Corner
North La Crosse
Alma
Hampton
CapX 2020 SE Twin Cites – Rochester – La Crosse proposed project study corridor
3-13-2008
Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) later this year. TheMN PUC and PSCW will decide whether the proposed linesare needed in their respective states. Interested parties cancontact the MN PUC at 800-657-3782 or go towww.puc.state.mn.us to be placed on the project list.If you have questions regarding the PSCW process visit theWisconsin commission’s Web site at www.psc.wi.gov or call888-816-3831.
Routing Process The CapX 2020 projects require regulatory approval for thetransmission line routes and any new substation sites. InMinnesota, a Route Permit application proposing a recom-mended route and alternatives must be filed with the MNPUC for each project. As noted in the previous section, thePSCW will decide the route in Wisconsin once a CPCN is filedwith the agency. The MN PUC and PSCW determine the finalroute for the line, taking into account recommendations fromall participating parties and landowners. They select the routefollowing a comprehensive process that includes public meet-ings and hearings examining route alternatives.
The utilities have begun to work with local governments,landowners, electric cooperatives and other stakeholders tostart evaluating route options. Public meetings, work groupsand agency consultation will occur during 2008. The targetfor filing applications with the MN PUC and the PSCW is thefall of 2008.
Federal ApprovalBefore the lines can be built, permits and approvals arerequired from several federal agencies, including the Rural
Utilities Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Federal agencies will conduct environmental reviews to comply with the NationalEnvironmental Policy Act (NEPA). The MN PUC, the PSCW and participating federal agencies will work together andcoordinate their processes.
Public Information and OutreachThere are many opportunities for public comment throughoutthe project schedule and permitting processes. Early input is encouraged to help the project team minimize potentialimpacts in the project area. For more information on thedates and locations of upcoming public meetings visitwww.capx2020.com.
Project contacts:Pam Rasmussen Routing LeadXcel EnergyPO Box 9437Minneapolis, MN [email protected]
Chuck Thompson Dairyland Power CooperativePO Box 9437Minneapolis, MN [email protected]
Participating CapX 2020 utilities in the La Crosse project:Dairyland Power CooperativeRochester Public UtilitiesSouthern Minnesota MunicipalPower Agency Wisconsin Public Power Inc.Xcel Energy
Proposed substations:■ Hampton Corner (new)■ North La Crosse or La Crosse
(modified)■ North Rochester (new)