Orono_Route_Permit_Application - Docket # W002/TL-11-223

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4.0 FACILITY DESCRIPTION AND ROUTE SELECTION RATIONALE 4.1 Transmission Line Description The Project involves replacing the existing 69-13.8 kV Orono Substation (a distribution substation) with a 115-13.8 kV transmission substation and constructing approximately 1,095 feet of single circuit and approximately 2,041 feet of double circuit 115 kV overhead transmission line. The proposed transmission line will originate at the proposed new Orono Substation. See Figure 2. At the point the Proposed Route exits the planned substation replacement area, it extends approximately 866 feet northwesterly and north within the 16 -acre substation site and along Xcel Energy's western property line to south of the BNSF railroad right-of-way. At this point the Proposed Route extends westerly across HFA property and paralleling the BNSF railroad right-of- way approximately 1,205 feet where it will connect to a new transmission structure (to be designated Structure 076-1) that will replace existing Structure 077 on Line 0831. Existing Structure 077 will be removed from its current location on private residential property and moved to a new location on HFA property. See Figure 2. From this point, the Proposed Route continues approximately 590 feet northwesterly and parallel to the BNSF railroad right-of-way across HFA land to a new transmission structure (to be called Structure 077). The Proposed Route then bears southwesterly across HFA land, a water crossing and a wetland to existing Structure 078 where it will terminate. Transmission Structure 078 will be replaced with a new structure, but it will continue to be called Structure 078 on Line 0831. See Figure 2. After exiting Xcel Energy property, the Proposed Route for the transmission line crosses undeveloped land within the HFA for approximately 2,270 feet. Under the City of Orono Zoning Regulations, HFA land is designation "Outlot A" Common Area and is Zoned PRD (Planned Residential Development). The Proposed Route will only traverse approximately 2,270 feet of HFA land and will primarily parallel the existing BNSF right-of-way before terminating at existing Xcel Energy transmission Structure 078. A detailed description of the Proposed Route is provided in Table 4. Figure 2 provides an overview of the Proposed Route and Appendix B, Figure B-2 provides an additional detailed map of the proposed Project. The entire proposed new 115 kV transmission line will be constructed with single -pole, galvanized steel or weathering -steel structures with davit arms or braced posts on drilled pier foundations. The Project's proposed transmission line will create a loop connecting the new Orono Substation and Xcel Energy's Gleason Lake and Crow River Substations via transmission Line 0831. The Gleason Lake Substation is located approximately 6.1 miles east of the Orono Substation, and the Crow River Substation is located approximately 9.5 miles northwest of the Orono Substation. The Proposed Route is within or adjacent to the existing rights-of-way of highways, railroads and Xcel Energy property for approximately 2,661 feet of the length of the route or 84 percent. The remaining 475 feet of the route crosses an undeveloped area of HFA property. Overall the Project crosses Xcel Energy property and undeveloped HFA land for 100 percent of the Proposed Route. Orono Project June 7, 2011 MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 12