Orono_Route_Permit_Application - Docket # W002/TL-11-223

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Resolution of South St. Paul Page 4 of 5 3.07 Because of the uncertainty and inconclusiveness of the effects of EMF on health and welfare, the sensible action in the interest of public health, safety and welfare is to reduce exposure to EMF. While overhead construction of the double circuit line will reduce the magnetic field to 25.1 mG at the edge of the 40 foot right- of-way, undergrounding the double circuit line will reduce the magnetic field to a more acceptable level of 2.4 mG at the right-of-way edge. 3.08 An overhead transmission line would be more susceptible to damage from severe weather conditions and thus a greater threat to public safety than an underground transmission line 3.09 The proposed overhead double circuit transmission tine would be detrimental to the health, safety and general welfare of the community and would seriously depreciate surrounding property values because of the cumulative effects of noise, visibility, EMF and susceptibility to adverse weather conditions. These effects would be either eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level if the double circuit line was constructed underground. In such case there would not be a detriment to the health, safety and general welfare of the community nor a serious depreciation of surrounding property values. 3.10 The proposed double circuit line will benefit the southeast metro area as well as the entire NSP system. Costs necessary to protect the public health, safety and general welfare should be a system -wide cost. The excess cost to bury the double circuit line are for the protection of the public health, safety and general welfare and should be borne by the entire NSP system and not by just by the City of South St. Paul or the NSP customers within the City who did not create the circumstances necessitating the construction of the transmission lines underground. SECTION FOUR Decision The City Council grants a conditional use permit to Northern States Power Company d/b/a Xcel Energy to construct a double circuit 115kV electric transmission line composed of the existing circuit and a new circuit, (the "transmission line") subject to the condition that the transmission line be constructed underground; provided, however, that the excess cost of underground construction be paid on a NSP system -wide basis, and if allocated to the City or to its NSP customers by order of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") or other state agency having jurisdiction, this conditional use permit is denied, shall be null and void, and of no force or effect and the transmission line may not be constructed; provided further that construction of the transmission line may not commence until NSP has agreed to a system -wide allocation of the excess undergrounding cost, or the PUC has denied allocation of the excess cost to the City or its NSP customers, and such action has not been appealed. The conditional use permit is also subject to the following conditions: (1) Northern States Power Company d/b/a Xcel Energy will offer free of charge a lawn and garden easement that is consistent with its utility usage to landowners adjacent to its fee right-of-way strip, that will be appurtenant to their property in perpetuity as long as its terms are complied with. (2) In the event that the State of Minnesota or the Federal Government establishes standards for electric Or magnetic fields that are applicable to the proposed transmission line, Northern States Power Company d/b/a. Xcel Energy shall comply with the standards and shall provide the City with sufficient information to ascertain compliance with the standards (3) Should Northern States Power Company d/b/a Xcel Energy, after the issuance of this conditional use permit be issued, granted, obtain, consent to or otherwise receive a permit or authorization for the double circuit of the existing I l5k.V transmission line from the City of Inver Grove Heights, the City of Mendota Heights, the City of Sunfish Lake, or the City of Bloomington on a term or terms more favorable to the city than those http://www.powerlinefacts.coiiVSouth%20St%20Paul%20Resolution.htm 4/19/2011