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1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Description ' Xcel Energy, Inc. ("Xcel Energy" or the "Company") proposes to expand and upgrade the existing Xcel Energy Orono Substation, construct approximately 0.4 miles of new double circuit 115 kilovolt ("kV") transmission line and construct approximately 0.2 miles of single circuit 115 kV transmission ' line within the municipal boundaries of the City of Orono located west of the Twin Cities metropolitan area,Hennepin County,Minnesota. The project is referred to as the Orono Substation ' Expansion Project (the "Project"). Figure 1 shows the general vicinity of the proposed Project. The Project involves expanding and upgrading the existing 69-13.8 kV Orono Substation (a distribution substation) to a 115-13.8 kV transmission substation and constructing approximately 0.19 miles of single circuit and approximately 0.4 miles of double circuit 115 kV overhead transmission line. The Proposed Route for the transmission line associated with the Project will ' originate at the proposed Orono Substation expansion, and initially remain on Xcel Energy property. See Figure 2. At the point the Proposed Route exits the proposed substation expansion area and extends approximately 866 feet northwesterly and north within the 16-acre substation site and along Xcel Energy's western property line to the BNSF railroad right-of-way. At this point the Proposed Route extends westerly paralleling the BNSF railroad right-of-way approximately 1,795 feet before turning southwest for an additional 475 feet where it will connect to existing Structure 78 ' that supports transmission line 0831. The Project is needed to increase the operating voltage of the existing Orono Substation to the ' transmission system 115 kV voltage, which will improve local and system reliability, reduce the risk of overloads,and allow for additional load growth in the future. ' Xcel Energy will file a Route Permit Application (the "Application") with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ("MPUC") for a Route Permit for the Project (see MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223). For new construction of structures and transmission line,Xcel Energy proposes ' a 400-foot route width, 200 feet on either side of the centerline of the proposed new line. Ground disturbance associated with the Project would generally be limited to excavation of foundations to secure the 115kV line structures and construction of the planned expansion of the substation within ' existing Xcel Energy property. The height of the structures will range from 70 to 105 feet. The spans between structures typically range from 300 to 500. The overall spacing of the structures will be comparable to other Xcel Energy 115 kV transmission line structures, which can vary based on soil conditions, engineering requirements and land use constraints. Depending upon the final route location, the Project may cross over a small waterbody, wetlands and transportation corridors (e.g. railroad and highway). The proposed Orono Substation expansion ' and a portion of the proposed new transmission line will be located within the 16-acre Xcel Energy owned property where the existing Orono Substation is located. The 16-acre Orono Substation site is locate in the southwest corner of the U.S. Highway 12 and 6th Avenue North intersection within ' the municipal boundaries of the City of Orono. Although utilizing Company property for Orono Project Phase Ia Literature Review April,2011 MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 1