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Page 2 <br />January 10, 2011 <br />Depending upon the final selected route, the Project may cross over adjacent wetlands or railroad/roads. <br />A portion of the proposed Project may be located within existing easements maintained by Xcel Energy <br />or other road authorities and utilities. However, some new easement acquisition is anticipated. For new <br />construction of structures and transmission line, Xcel Energy typically proposes a 400-foot-wide route <br />corridor, 200 feet on either side of the proposed new line location. <br />Permitting Requirements <br />The proposed new 115 kV transmission line meets the definition of a High Voltage Transmission Line <br />(HVTL) under Minn. Rules Chapter 7850.1000, subp. 9. A Route Permit is required for the Project, for <br />which Xcel Energy will apply. The Project qualifies for the Alternative Permitting Process under Minn. <br />Stat. § 216E.04, subd. 2(3) and pursuant to Minn. Rules Chapter 7850.2800 to 7850.3900 (see Minn. <br />Rules Chapter 7850.2800, subp. 1(C)), which Xcel Energy may elect to use. <br />A Certificate of Need (CON) is not required for the Project because it is not classified as a large energy <br />facility (LEF) under Minn. Stat. §§ 21613.243 and 216B.2421, subd. 2(3). While the Project is a HVTL <br />with a capacity of 100 kV or more, it is not more than 10 miles long in Minnesota nor does it cross a state <br />line. Therefore, Xcel Energy will not need to apply for a CON for the Project. <br />The Route Permit proceeding will determine where the proposed facilities will be located. As part of the <br />permitting process, the MPUC considers input from the applicant utility, interested stakeholders, local <br />government units, state and federal agencies, and landowners who may be affected by the Project. Xcel <br />Energy plans to submit an application for a Route Permit for the Project to the MPUC within the next <br />several months. Additional environmental review will occur during the routing process. The routing <br />process will consider environmental, land use, and other potential routing impacts, and provide the <br />opportunity for the public to comment. <br />Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 216E.03, subd. 3b, you may request a pre-application consultation meeting <br />regarding the proposed Project within 30 days of receiving this notice. Please review this information <br />and provide comments, questions, or concerns you may have regarding the proposed Project, or if you <br />would like to request a pre-application consultation meeting. <br />Please contact me at (612) 330-6435 or ioseph.g.sedarski(a)xcelenergv.com if you have any questions or <br />comments regarding the Project or this notice. <br />Sincerely, <br />Xcel Energy <br />Senior Permitting Analyst <br />Enc. Figure 1 <br />cc: Chris Rogers, Xcel Energy <br />