EQB & MN Rules - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

OAH 8-2500-22429-2 MPUC E002 /TL-11-223 STATE OF MINNESOTA OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS FOR THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION In the Matter of the Route Permit Application for SUMMARY OF the Orono Substation Replacement and new PUBLIC TESTIMONY 115 kV Transmission Line Project This matter came before Administrative Law Judge Eric L. Lipman for a public hearing on December 15, 2011. The public hearing was held at the City Hall in Orono, Minnesota and was convened to receive public testimony on a proposed high voltage transmission line and substation. Earlier, on June 30, 2011, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC or Commission) issued an Order accepting the application from Northern States Power, doing business as Xcel Energy, for a high voltage transmission line Route Permit and approval of the proposed Orono Substation Replacement.' In this same Order, the Commission approved the use of an informal review and requested the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) to conduct at least one public hearing on the project.2 Ten persons attended the public hearings and, of those ten, six provided testimony during the public hearing.3 Interested persons were recognized for remarks during which they could submit testimony or make inquiries to the agency and applicant panelists. In all, the public hearing included two rounds of testimony from interested members of the public.4 This process continued until no person sought recognition.5 Following the adjournment of the public hearing, the record remained open for an additional 22 days within which interested persons were permitted to submit written comments. During the comment period, the parties to the proceeding, the Department 1 Order, In the Matter of the Application for a HVTL Route Permit for the Orono Substation Expansion pP P and New 115 kV Transmission Line Project, MPUC Docket No. E-002/TL-11-223 (June 30, 2011) (E- Docket No. 20116-64311-01). 2 Id. 3 See, Hearing Roster, OAH 8-2500-22429-2 (E-Docket No. 201112-69736-02). 4 See, Hearing Transcript, OAH 8-2500-22429-2 at 2 (E-Docket No. 20121-69850-01). 5 Id, at 57 - 58.