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Public Hearing 52. On November 30, 2011, EFP staff mailed a Notice of Public Hearing to those persons whose names are on the project contact list and to local and regional officials in compliance with Minnesota Statute § 216E.03, subdivision 6.54 53. Pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 216E.03, subdivision 6, Xcel Energy, on behalf of EFP staff, -published a Notice of Public Hearing and Availability of EA in the Wayzata Lakeshore Weekly News on November 29, 2011 and in the Plymouth, Wayzata, Orono, and Long Lake Sun Sailor on December 1, 2011.55 54. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Eric L. Lipman, from the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings, presided over the public hearing conducted on December 15, 2011. The public hearing was held at Orono City Council Chambers in Orono, Minnesota. The ALJ provided an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions or comment on the proposed project verbally and/or to submit question/comments in writing.56 55. According to the ALJ Summary of Public Testimony, ten members of the public attended the public hearing. All persons who desired to speak were afforded a full opportunity to make a statement on the record.57 56. Pursuant to Minnesota Rule 7850.3800, subpart 3A, EFP state permit manager Suzanne Steinhauer was at the public hearing and described the alternative route permitting process, the proposed project, and introduced the EA and other relevant documents for the record. 57. Representatives from Xcel Energy present at the hearing included: Joseph Sedarski, Senior Permitting Analyst; Gene Kotz, project manager; Ed Smith substation engineer; Justin Michlig; and Jeff Gutzmann transmission line designer. Valerie Herring from the law firm of Briggs & Morgan-appeared at the public hearing on behalf of Xcel Energy in this matter. 58. Michael Kaluzniak, Planning Director, was at the public hearing on behalf of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. 59. The comment period was open for written comments through January 6, 2012, and was extended until January 31, 2012, to allow for comments on the Noise 54 Ex. 13(Notice of Public Hearing with Certificate of Service)and 14(Notice of Public Hearing,certified letters to local officials). 55 Ex. 16(Published Notice of Public Hearing) 56 Ex. 19(Public Hearing Transcript). 57 Ex.25 (Administrative Law Judge Summary of Public Testimony[ALJ Report])at p. 1 13