Orono_Route_Permit_Application - Docket # W002/TL-11-223

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XcelEnergy RE1PONSIRLE U NATRRE" January 10, 2011 Melanie Curtis Planning and Zoning Coordinator City of Orono PO Box 66 Crystal Bay, MN 55323 414 Nicoilet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-1993 Re: Notice of Proposed Transmission Line and Substation Expansion Project Orono Substation Expansion Project Xcel Energy, Inc./Northern States Power Company PUC Docket No. E002/TL- Dear Ms. Curtis: Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation (Xcel Energy) proposes to expand and upgrade 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 at 3960 Sixth Avenue North, City of Orono (City), Hennepin County, Minnesota (see Figure 1). The expansion and upgrade will include a complete rebuild of the existing Orono Substation, an increase in operating voltage from 69kV to 115kV, and a new double circuit 115kV transmission line to connect the substation to existing transmission line (Project). The Project is needed to increase the operating voltage from 69kV to 115kV which will improve local and system reliability, reduce the risk of overloads, and allow for additional load growth in the future. The purpose of this letter is to provide you notice of Xcel Energy's plan to obtain a Route Permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) for the proposed Project and request comments for the Project. This notice is also required under Minn. Stat. § 216E.03, subd. 3a and 3b to allow each local governmental unit (LGU) within the proposed Project area the opportunity to meet with Xcel Energy to discuss the Project prior to filing a Route Permit Application (RPA). Orono Substation The Orono Substation is located at 3960 Sixth Avenue North, Orono, Hennepin County, MN 55356. The Project site consists of approximately 16 acres and is located in the SW '/4 of the SW '/4 of Section 29 and the NW '/4 of the NW '/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 (6t" 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. Project Description The existing Orono Substation has been in service since 1990 and is situated on land owned in fee by Xcel Energy. All proposed substation upgrade components will be located within existing Xcel Energy property. Xcel Energy also proposes to build a new double circuit 115kV transmission line to connect the Orono Substation to the existing 115kV Line 0831 located approximately''/2 mile northwest of the Orono Substation. The Project will require modifying Xcel Energy's existing transmission Line 0881 to make this connection. The new double circuit 115kV transmission line route is proposed to run north from the Orono Substation across Xcel Energy property for approximately'/4 mile and then cross an additional 1/4 mile of private property as shown on the attached map (see Figure 1). Please note that Xcel Energy is evaluating siting/routing information and previously obtained public comments regarding the Project.