12-13-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, December 13, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. (12. #10 -3486 XCEL ENERGY, 3960 SIXTHAVENUE NORTH, Continued) Cox stated it would be essentially a 15 -20 mile perimeter around the substation. The existing line is at capacity and does not have full protection because it does not have a shield wire. The 11 5k line would provide for better voltage support, superior reliability and protection. Currently there is only one source of power to the area and with the upgrade, if one side of the service goes down, the other side would be able to provide power, which increases the reliability of the system. Mayor White asked what noise level is generated. Sedarski stated they do monitor the noise as part of the EA process and Xcel will be providing those numbers. Dassel asked why this project would not require a full environmental impact statement. Sedarski stated this process is not part of the environmental quality board where the environment assessment is used to determine whether an environmental impact statement is required. Xcel is requesting permitting from the City and the City has 60 days to decide whether to accept the application. In the environmental assessment there is information on the wetlands, and Xcel will review all the impacts and do whatever mitigation is necessary. Xcel follows certain construction techniques that are designed to minimize the impact to the wetlands and would do the construction during the winter. Dassel noted impacts can also be felt outside the wetlands, such as runoff. Sedarski indicated the environmental assessment will provide the design. McMillan asked what the PUC process would entail. Sedarski stated the process before the PUC would involve a similar process as the City's except for an environmental assessment being completed. Xcel would still hold a public meeting with the residents, which is not required under the PUC rules. Once application is filed, it typically takes six to eight months with the PUC. The PUC offers two options for review. The ultimate review process with the PUC does not require Xcel to look at alternate routes but the full permitting process does, which is the only difference between the two processes. McMillan asked why this project does not require the full permitting process. Sedarski indicated the voltage and the distance determines which process should be followed. Mayor White closed the public hearing at 9:23 p.m. Mayor White commented that in his view the City does not have the expertise or established criteria to handle this type of application. McMillan indicated she is in agreement with Mayor White. Murphy stated he is sympathetic to the concerns of the residents, but that in his view it would take a lot of time and energy on the part of the City to deal with this application and that Xcel will probably get what Page 18 of 27