Orono_Route_Permit_Application - Docket # W002/TL-11-223

Home Browse Search

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 Proposal Summary Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation ("Xcel Energy" or the "Company") submits this application ("Application") for a Route Permit to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ("Commission" or "MPUC") pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 216E and Minnesota Rules Chapter 7850. A Route Permit is requested to replace the existing Xcel Energy Orono Substation with a new 115 W substation, construct approximately 2,041 feet of new double circuit 115 kilovolt ("kV") transmission line and construct approximately 1,095 feet 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"). Figure 1 shows the general vicinity of the proposed Project. The substation replacement will include a complete rebuild of the existing Orono Substation from an existing operating voltage of 69 kV to an operating voltage of 115 W. The increase in the operating voltage of the existing Orono Substation is needed to improve local and system reliability, reduce the risk of overloads, and allow for additional load growth in the future. The Project qualifies for the Alternative Permitting Process under Minn. Stat. § 216E.04, subd. 2(3), and Minn. Rules Chapter 7850.2800 to 7850.3900 (see Minn. R. 7850.2800, Subp. 1(C)). The Company respectfully requests that the Commission approve the proposed route and authorize a 400 -foot route width along the proposed route. Orono Project June 7, 2011 MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 1