CapX 2020 Transmission Background & Regulatory Information

Check the Media Coverage!

PUC Approves CapX Lines:

The MN PUC held their deliberations on the CapX proposal and decided on April 16, 2009, to deny motions to look at the impact that the current economic downturn has on the proposal. The PUC said no further information was necessary and the utilities have demonstrated that the lines are needed. The PUC's written order will come out soon and it will order the utilities to build all three proposed lines in an upsized configuration (poles designed to allow another circuit of 345kV lines to be added later). See media page for more news.

• Citizens Group Formally Challenges Decision On Capx2020 Power Line Need And Encourages MN & WI Residents To Attend Environmental Impact Scoping Meetings This Week – CETF Release, June 19, 2009  [also see this Summary of CETF Petition for Reconsideration of PUC's CapX Decision]

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.
  
  
• Media Coverage and Resources and Alternatives to Transmission Lines
  Links to news stories, videos, reports and other organizations fighting transmission lines around the country.

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 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 Bret Eknes at (651-201-2236).

In December 2008, the Brookings to Twin Cities Transmission Route Application was filed with the Commission by the Applicants. The application can be viewed through the eDockets. The docket number for this application is: 08 (year) 1474 (number). Public Hearings beginning March 30, 2009 have been scheduled covering the routing of the Brookings/Twin Cities lines. See this Announcement from the Office of Energy Security and this Backgrounder from Citizens Energy Task Force on how to participate.

As of March 2009, the PUC made a determination that the CON application is complete, the contested case proceeding and hearings are completed and Judge Beverly Heydinger issued her recommendations to approve all three lines in late February 2009. Her recommendations go back to the PUC and they will make the final decision sometime during Spring 2009.

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.