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1 <br /> 'IV 0.4?. R <br /> ( O CITY of NO O O <br /> Municipal Offices <br /> ra � '1t. ►'�I, Street Address: Mailing Address: <br /> �• ""I <br /> ,y�' 2750 Kelley Parkway P.O.Box 66 <br /> L !-ly G Orono,MN 55356 Crystal Bay,MN 55323-0066 <br /> �k'.�sKo4 <br /> August 22, 2011 <br /> Suzanne Steinhauer <br /> State Permit Manager-Energy Facility Permitting <br /> MN Department of Commerce- Office of Energy Security <br /> 85 7th Place East, Suite 500 <br /> St. Paul,MN 55101-2198 <br /> RE: Proposed Xcel Energy Orono 115kV Transmission Line Project <br /> PUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 <br /> Dear Ms. Steinhauer: <br /> Xcel Energy is proposing an expansion of the Orono substation and construction of a new 115kV <br /> transmission line. The project is within the corporate boundaries of the City of Orono. It is <br /> anticipated based on materials presented by Xcel to date that there will be potential impacts to <br /> the City and its residents. The Orono City Council desires that all available options and <br /> alternatives for reducing or eliminating such impacts be considered and evaluated through the <br /> Environmental Assessment(EA)process. We do have a number of critical concerns as well as a <br /> variety of general comments about this project. Critical concerns include: <br /> 1. The City of Orono is extremely concerned about the new visual impacts likely to be <br /> created by the expanded substation and the new transmission lines and poles. The <br /> footprint of the substation is increasing approximately ten-fold;the new transmission <br /> lines and poles at the proposed heights of 70-90 feet will extend above the local tree <br /> canopy and be visible from significant distances from all directions. The Orono <br /> Comprehensive Plan includes the goal of preserving natural vistas without man-made <br /> intrusions to the greatest extent practicable. <br /> - Identify and assess the visual impacts of the substation and transmission lines and <br /> poles from all off-site locations, and identify and assess all practicable methods to <br /> limit the height of new facilities <br /> - Identify and assess all practicable methods to screen, disguise, camouflage or <br /> otherwise remove from general view the substation and transmission lines and poles <br /> 2. The City of Orono takes great pride in its dark night skies and the lack of light pollution. <br /> Identify and assess any potential lighting or glare impacts resulting from the substation <br /> and transmission lines and poles. <br /> - Will the substation be lit at night? If so, what methods will be used to mitigate the <br /> impacts of glare or light reflection? Will all lighting be shielded and downward <br /> Telephone(952)249-4600 •Fax(952)249-4616 <br /> www.ci.orono.mn.us <br />