Notice of Xcel Energy Filing Permit Appl

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Xcel Energy° 414 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis,MN 55401 June 16, 2011 To: Persons Interested in the Orono Substation Replacement and New 115 kV Transmission Line Project,the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Energy Facilities General List,Local Officials, and Property Owners Re: Notice of Xcel Energy Filing of Route Permit Application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223) Northern States Power Company,a Minnesota corporation ("Xcel Energy") filed a Route Permit application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") on June 7,2011, for the Orono Substation Replacement and New 115 kilovolt ("kV") Transmission Line Project ("Project"). This letter provides information on the Project and the routing process as well as how to register your name with the Commission on the Project contact list to ensure that you receive future notices. Project Description Xcel Energy proposes to replace the existing Orono Substation and construct new 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines to connect the planned substation to existing Xcel Energy 115kV transmission Line 0831 located in the City of Orono, Hennepin County, Minnesota. A map of the general area of the proposed Project is enclosed. The existing Orono Substation is located at 3960 Sixth Avenue North, Orono, MN 55356. The existing Xcel Energy property consists of approximately 16 acres and is located in the SW 1/4 of the SW '/a of Section 29 and the NW '/a of the NW 1/4 of Section 32, Township 118 North, Range 23 West. The Project area is bounded by State Highway 12 (Wayzata Boulevard) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad to the north, County Road 6 (6th Avenue North) to the south and east,with a residential property boundary to the west. The property contains an existing substation in the southwest corner of the property that is surrounded by open meadow with scattered trees. The remainder of the property is comprised of wetland. Adjacent land use consists of large-lot, single-family homes to the west and south,wetland to the north, and a highway interchange to the east. The Project will include replacement of the existing Orono Substation with a new 115-13.8 kV transmission substation and connect the new substation to existing Xcel Energy 115 kV transmission Line 0831 by constructing a new double circuit 115kV transmission line. The Project is needed to improve local and system reliability,reduce the risk of overloads, and allow for additional load growth in the future. More specifically,Xcel Energy proposes the following for the Project: • install approximately 2,041 feet of new double circuit 115 kV transmission line and structures from the new Orono Substation to the connection point with existing 115 kV transmission Line 0831 at new transmission Structure 076-1;