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y� Metropolitan Council <br />October 26, 2010 <br />Xcel Energy <br />ATTN: Joe Sedarski, Senior Permitting Analyst <br />414 Nicollet Mall — MP8 <br />Minneapolis, MN 55401 <br />RE: Request for Comments on Proposed Orono Substation Expansion and New 11 5k Transmission <br />Line Project Environmental Assessment Scoping Comments <br />City of Orono Zoning Application # 10-3486 <br />PUC Docket No. E0021LR-10-957 <br />Council Review File No. 20780-1 <br />Dear Mr. Sedarski: <br />The Metropolitan Council (Council) received Xcel Energy's request for comments on the scope of the <br />Environmental Assessment (EA) that will be prepared for the proposed Orono substation expansion and <br />new 11 5k transmission line project. <br />The Orono substation is located at 3960 Sixth Avenue North in Orono, Minnesota. The proposed project <br />would completely rebuild the existing substation to increase its operating voltage from 69kV to 115kV, <br />construct a new 0.5 mile 115kV transmission line to connect the substation to existing I I5kV Line 0831, <br />and remove an unspecified length of existing GRE Line BD — 69kV. The following comments are offered <br />that will need to be addressed in the EA document. <br />The proposed substation expansion project is located near Baker Park Reserve, owned and operated by <br />Three Rivers Park District, and part of the metropolitan area's regional parks system. The potential <br />visual and noise impacts to the park reserve should be evaluated in the EA and the proposed <br />disconnection and removal of power line GRE Line BD — 69kV through Baker Park Reserve should be <br />coordinated with Three Rivers Park District. <br />The proposed new transmission line will cross Council forcemain Interceptor 8352 south of Highway <br />12 and east of Hunt Farm Road. This 12 -inch diameter Ductile Iron Pipe interceptor was built in 2008 <br />at a depth of approximately 12 feet. To assess the potential impacts to the interceptor pipe in this <br />location, preliminary plans should be sent to Scott Dentz, Metropolitan Council Environmental <br />Services Interceptor Engineering Manager (651-602-4503) for review and comment, prior to initiating <br />the project. <br />Please contact Jim Larsen PE, Senior Planner, with any questions at 651-602-1159, <br />Sincerely, <br />Phyllis Hanson, Manager <br />Local Planning Assistance <br />cc: Robert McFarlin, District 3 Council Member <br />Susan Hoyt, Planning Sector Representative <br />Judy Sventek, Water Resources Assessment <br />Cheryl Olsen, Reviews Coordinator <br />w WW.metrocnu I-lcl[.org <br />390 Robert Street North • 5t. Paut. MN 55101-1805 • 1651) 602-1000 • Fax 1651) 602-1550 • TTY 16511 291-0904 <br />An Equal OPPPF44160� Fuilitwwr' <br />