Orono_Route_Permit_Application - Docket # W002/TL-11-223

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Klossner Association: Very deep, very poorly drained, nearly level muck formed in organic material over glacial till in wetland depressions; and Houghton and Muskego Association: Very deep, very poorly drained, nearly level muck formed in organic material in wetland depressions. Mitigative Measures As described above, the new substation site will require grading and storm water management. Xcel Energy does not anticipate any adverse impacts to geology or bedrock from the Project. Concerning impacts from the Project to surficial soils, Xcel Energy will implement the mitigative measures as described above in Section 6.1.1. 6.2 Human Settlement 6.2.1 Public Health and Safety Proper safeguards will be implemented for construction and operation of the proposed substation and transmission facilities. The Project will be designed in compliance with local, state, the National Electrical Safety Code ("NESC"), and Xcel Energy standards for clearance to ground, crossing utilities and buildings, strength of materials, and right-of-way widths. Construction and contract crews will comply with local, state, NESC, and Xcel Energy standards for installation of facilities and standard construction practices. Established Xcel Energy and industry safety procedures will also be followed after the substation and transmission line are installed. This will include clear signage during all construction activities. The proposed transmission line will be equipped with protective devices (circuit breakers and relays located in the new Orono Substation where the transmission lines terminate) to safeguard the public if an accident occurs, such as a structure or conductor falling to the ground. The protective equipment will de -energize the transmission line should such an event occur. In addition, the new Orono Substation will be fenced and access limited to authorized personnel. Proper signage is posted to warn the public about the risk of coming into contact with the energized equipment. For a discussion of EMF, see Section 5.2 above. Mitip-ative Measures Xcel Energy does not anticipate any adverse public health and safety impacts from the Project. Therefore, no mitigative measures are proposed. 6.2.2 Commercial, Industrial, and Residential Land Use In addition to use of Xcel Energy's existing 16 acre site for the Orono Substation land use near the Project is primarily residential and undeveloped/open-space. The City of Orono is the largest municipality in the local area, with a current projected population of 7,437 (US Census Bureau, American FactFinder website -accessed 04/05/2011). The entire Project and proposed transmission facilities fall within the current City limits as indicated in the attached Appendix B-4. The existing Orono Substation property is zoned for rural residential use, but has a conditional use permit through the City of Orono for this property. The areas near and around the Project are zoned for rural residential use. The proposed new transmission line will have minimal impact on the amount Orono Project June 7, 2011 MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 40