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Xcel Energy <br /> 414 Nicollet Mall <br /> RESPONSIBLE BY NATURE <br /> Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-1993 <br /> June 21, 2013 <br /> VIA ELECTRONIC FILING <br /> Dr. Burl W. Haar <br /> Executive Secretary <br /> Minnesota Public Utilities Commission <br /> 350 Metro Square Building <br /> 121 Seventh Place East <br /> St. Paul, MN 55101 <br /> Re: Project Update—Misplaced Structure <br /> Orono Substation Replacement and New 115 kV Transmission Line Project <br /> Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 <br /> Dear Dr. Haar: <br /> Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy,obtained a route permit(dated <br /> April 6, 2012)to relocate approximately 0.2 miles of Xcel Energy Line 0831,to construct <br /> approximately 0.4 miles of new double-circuit 115 kV transmission line between line 0831 and <br /> the Orono Substation and to expand and modify the Orono Substation to accommodate the new <br /> 115 kV transmission line. <br /> On May 3, 2013 Xcel Energy filed a letter on e-dockets explaining that structure 076-4,the first <br /> new transmission pole north of the Orono Substation on Xcel Energy property, was constructed <br /> approximately 120 feet farther north than intended. As a result, clearance between the new 115 <br /> kV line and the existing Great River Energy (GRE) 69 kV line on the north side of the substation <br /> is inadequate for National Electric Safety Code compliance. The purpose of this follow-up <br /> letter is to provide an explanation of how this occurred and how we plan to prevent a similar <br /> incident in the future. In addition,this letter provides information regarding several alternatives <br /> for resolving the issue. <br /> During the course of each project, design alignment and the related structure locations may be <br /> staked numerous times to facilitate public viewing, soil investigations,vicinity utility locates, <br /> and ultimately, final location for construction of facilities. Alignment revisions result in the <br /> generation of multiple sets of location coordinates. <br /> In this case,the structure foundation for structure 076-4 was staked and constructed utilizing a <br /> preliminary coordinate location rather than the final coordinate location approved in the Plan and <br /> Profile submittal. <br />