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Table 4: 2010 Population Characteristics <br />Category <br />Minnesota <br />Hennepin County <br />City of Orono <br />2000 Population <br />4,919,492 <br />1,164,200 <br />7,538 <br />2010 Population <br />5,303,925 <br />1,152,425 <br />7,437 <br />Percent Chane 2000-2010 <br />7.8 <br />3.2 <br />-1.3 <br />Non-white, Non -Hispanic or <br />Latino Origin, 2010 Population <br />14.7 <br />25.6 <br />3.5 <br />(percent) <br />Median Household Income <br />$55,621 <br />$61,651 <br />$114,702a <br />(average over 2001-2009) <br />Percent Below Poverty Level <br />10.9 <br />11.9 <br />1.4 <br />(average 2005 - 2009) <br />Land Areas . miles <br />79,727 <br />554 <br />15.98 <br />Population Density (person/sq. <br />mile) <br />66.6 <br />2,082 <br />465.3 <br />Source: U.S, Census Bureau, 2011 <br />Xcel Energy anticipates that construction of the transmission line would require approximately 6-25 <br />workers over the course of approximately eight weeks. Xcel Energy also anticipates that <br />construction of the substation would occur over the course of 9-12 months, with an average work <br />force of approximately six workers (Xcel Energy, personal communication, October 13, 2011). It is <br />not expected that additional permanent jobs will be created the Project. <br />Construction of the Project should also result in small, short-term positive economic impacts in the <br />form of increased spending for lodging, meals and other consumer goods and services as well as <br />purchase of some construction material. Short-term economic benefits from increased economic <br />activity during the construction phase of the Project are likely to be absorbed within the larger Twin <br />Cities metro economy and not limited to the immediate project area. <br />No disproportionate impacts on minority or low-income populations are anticipated. <br />Long-term socioeconomic effects from the Project would include an increase to the county's tax <br />revenues as a result of the value of construction and the increased value of utility property resulting <br />from the Project. In addition to the relatively small increase to county tax revenues, the Project <br />would improve the overall transmission stability and ensure voltage stability. <br />Mitigation Measures <br />The socio-economic impacts from the Project are likely to be mostly positive, no additional <br />mitigation measures are proposed. <br />5.3 Human Settlement <br />Transmission lines have the potential to produce impacts to human settlement resulting from <br />possible displacement of homes or businesses, aesthetics, and potential impacts to property values. <br />Regulators and utilities try to select routes that avoid residences as much as possible to minimize <br />impacts to residents and businesses. Specifically, Minnesota Statute 216E.02, subd. 1 provides that, <br />"... the commission shall locate transmission lines in a manner that minimize adverse human and <br />environmental impact while insuring continuing electric power system reliability and integrity and <br />insuring that electric energy needs are met and fulfilled in an orderly and timely fashion." <br />Environmental Assessment <br />PUC Docket E002/TL-11-223 Page 22 <br />