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locations for the substation." Ms. Fogelberg also stated that the mitigation measures <br /> proposed by the Applicants are inadequate to shield a facility of the proposed <br /> substation's size and dimension, in the alternative, she urges the Commission to <br /> consider the type of shielding methods used for substations in Britain and Japan. <br /> 65. Kelly Grissman, Senior Manager of Planning for the Three Rivers Park District, <br /> testified as to the impacts that one of the transmission line routing alternatives <br /> would have to the Baker Regional Park Reserve. The Reserve is a 3,000 acre set of <br /> parcels that provide natural habitat, recreation and a trail system in Orono, <br /> Minnesota. Ms. Grissman asserted that the proposed routing would not benefit the <br /> reserve. Moreover, she argued that because the buffer zones which separate habitat <br /> and recreational areas in the reserve from Highway 12, would be narrowed under <br /> the routing alternative, that alternative would degrade the Reserve's plans and <br /> uses.65 <br /> 66. Paul Fraser, a resident of the Huntington Farm neighborhood, concurred with Ms. <br /> Fogelberg's assessment that more could be done to shield and reduce the visual <br /> impacts from an expanded substation. Mr. Fraser argued that because the uses that <br /> are adjacent to the substation site are a park reserve and a residential area, more <br /> mitigation should be required before any application is approved by the <br /> Commission.66 <br /> 67. Tom Luninski, a resident of Orono, inquired as to whether there would be a change <br /> in the capacity of the transmission line as a result of the project. Members of the <br /> Applicant panel confirmed that Xcel had no plans to change or upgrade the 0831 <br /> transmission line over the course of a 20-year planning period.67 <br /> Summary of Written Comments <br /> 68. On December 13, 2011, Northern States Power Company submitted the testimony <br /> of Joseph Sedarski.68 <br /> 69. Peter and Carla Schoon, residents of the Huntington Farms neighborhood and <br /> members of its neighborhood association, urged selection of a route alternative that <br /> runs along the north side of Highway 12. Additionally, the Schoons asserted that <br /> not enough effort was being made to minimize visual impacts of the proposed line <br /> and substation.69 <br /> 64 Ex.26 at p. 3 (AU Report) <br /> 65 Ibid. <br /> 66 Ibid.at pp.3-4 <br /> 67 Ibid. at p.4 <br /> 68 Ex. 17(Sedarski Testimony) <br /> 69 Ex.26 at p.4(AU Report) <br /> 15 <br />