Orono_Route_Permit_Application - Docket # W002/TL-11-223

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between the railroad and highway and impact to Baker Park Reserve property. Alternative Route 2 is not preferable to the Proposed Route because it does not fulfill two main objectives of the Project, those being: i) maximizing the use of existing transportation rights-of-way and transmission line alignments; and ii) minimizing the impacts to Baker Park Reserve, when compared to the Proposed Route. 4.3.3 Alternative Route 3 Alternative Route 3 and the Proposed Route share the same route from the point the routes leave the proposed substation replacement to approximately 1,000 feet west of the point both routes turn westerly along the BNSF railroad right-of-way. At this location Alternative Route 3 extends both to the north and to the west to make connections with Xcel Energy's existing 115 kV transmission Line 0831. The northerly connection includes a 329 foot span across the BNSF railroad, the Metropolitan Council sewer line, U.S. Highway 12, and enters into Baker Park Reserve property making the northern connection to transmission Line 0831 at existing Structure 076. Similar to the Proposed Route, this northern connection would require that existing Structure 076 be replaced by a steel single pole. The westerly connection of Alternative Route 3, south of the BNSF railroad and U.S. Highway 12, spans across HFA land, and spans a residential lot for approximately 384 feet to connect to Xcel Energy's existing 115 kV transmission Line 0831 at Structure 077. The existing 115 kV line between the two connection points that spans the BNSF railroad, the Metropolitan Council sewer line and U.S. Highway 12 in Alternative Route 3 would be removed from service. However, a new span for the northern connection to Line 0831 would cross over the BNSF railroad, the Metropolitan Council sewer line and U.S. Highway 12. Alternative Route 3 is not preferable to the Proposed Route because it does not fulfill one main objective of the Project, that being minimize to impacts to residences. As discussed in section 4.2.2 Xcel Energy is working with two residential landowners to remove the existing 115 kV transmission line from their residential lots within the HFA and move it north onto HFA land. Alternative Route 3 also requires the clearing of some mature trees through the middle of one of the residential lots for right-of-way purposes. 4.3.4 Alternative Route 4 Alternative Route 4 was evaluated for the potential to parallel the existing GRE 69 kV transmission Line BD right-of-way. Alternative Route 4 exits the proposed substation replacement area northeasterly for approximately 100 feet over Xcel Energy property before turning southeasterly for an additional approximate 160 feet. Alternative Route 4 then parallels the GRE Line BD for approximately 3,130 of the route. Alternative Route 4 would continue east for approximately 607 feet prior to turning north. Upon turning north Alternative Route 4 would continue to follow the GRE Line BD north for approximately 2,523 feet leaving Xcel Energy's property and crossing over the BNSF railroad, the Metropolitan Council sewer line, U.S. Highway 12 and entering Barker Park Reserve. At this point the GRE Line BD turns east. Alternative Route 4 would continue north for approximately 350 feet across the Baker Park Reserve requiring new right-of-way that would not be co -located with other utility rights-of-way. Alternative Route 4 is the longest of the four routes evaluated for the Project. Alternative Route 4 is not preferable to the Proposed Route because it will not fulfill two main objectives of the Project, those being: i) minimizing impacts to environmental and sensitive resources; and ii) minimizing the impacts to Baker Park Reserve, when compared to the Proposed Orono Project June 7, 2011 MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 17