CapX 2020 Transmission Background & Regulatory Information

Based on concerns from the public, we've set up this section of our web site to allow for easy access to information about the CapX 2020 transmission lines proposal in Minnesota and the regulatory review process that's underway. In addition to this background page we have three other sections:

• Archive of Official Regulatory Filings
  We're up to date with the most important filings
  
  
• Archive of Information Requests and Answers as part of the Contested Case Proceeding
  We're posting the information requests and answers going back and forth between the parties that are involved in the contested case proceeding.
  
  
• Transmission Related Online Resources
  A collection of transmission related background information from around the Internet. Links to reports, other organizations fighting transmission lines around the country and other items.

Project Background and Maps

A consortium of utilities in the midwest have formed to collectively (CapX 2020) act to gain regulatory approvals for billions of dollars and hundreds of miles of new and upgraded transmission lines (utilities' CapX 2020 site).

The first group of projects is primarily made up of three 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines:

• A 230-mile, 345-kV line between the Brookings, SD, area and the Southeast Twin Cities - Notification Letter sent to nearby landowners
• A 250-mile, 345-kV line between Fargo, ND, and Monticello, MN - Notification Letter sent to nearby landowners
• A 150-mile, 345-kV line between the Southeast Twin Cities and Rochester, MN, continuing to La Crosse, WI - Notification Letter sent to nearby landowners

There are a couple of sources that show the maps of these project - The utilities proposal has a section with Maps of the Proposed Transmission Line Corridors and the Dept. of Commerce's Environmental Report issued in March 2008 has a nice selection of maps of the proposed, possible routes for the lines.

Minnesota Regulatory Process

The regulatory process for these transmission lines is under way in Minnesota.

The MN Public Utilities Commission (PUC) must grant two major approvals before a transmission line can be constructed. The PUC must grant a Certificate of Need (CON) and must issue a Route Permit specifying where the line is to be routed. An Environmental Report is also prepared by the Department of Commerce during the need process and an environmental impact statement is written during routing. Questions regarding the PUC's procedures may be directed to David Jacobson (651-201-2238) or Bret Eknes at (651-201-2236).

As of January 2008, the CON application has been filed by the utilities, the PUC has made a determination that the application is complete and referred the application to the MN Office of Administrative Hearings to be considered under a contested case proceeding. Judge Beverly Heydinger has been assigned to the case and the deadline for public comments is 4:30 p.m. on August 22, 2008 (send to capx.oah@state.mn.us).

Public hearings have been scheduled in various locations along the routes of these proposed lines during the period June 17, 2008 - July 2, 2008.

In March 2008, the Department of Commerce's Energy Facility Permitting Unit issued an Environmental Review for the projects as part of the Certificate of Need proceedings before the PUC. You can read the Public Comments on Scope of the CapX 2020 Environmental Report and continue to monitor the environmental review process at their web site.

Here are some resources for more explanation of the process:

• Description of the Certificate of Need Process for the CapX 2020 Proposal - prepared by MN PUC, November 27, 2007
  A nice summary of what the CON process entails including an outline of the regulatory steps and points where the public at large will have opportunities to provide input. [see also this CON process flow chart]
  
  
• Guide to Contested Case Proceedings - MN Office of Administrative Hearings
  A little pamphlet that outlines the process of a contested case.
  
  
• Department of Commerce Energy Facility Permitting Unit Environmental Review Process
  This DOC page is intended for users to be able to monitor the environmental review process.
  
  
• Minnesota Regulatory Process Fact Sheet - Route Siting and Certificate of Need for Transmission Lines
  An explanation of the Minnesota Regulatory Process for High Voltage Transmission Lines prepared by the utilities but nicely done. Includes information on both the CON and Route Permit processes.