Appendix J NOTICES MAILED TO LANDOWNERS

Transcription

1 Appendix J NOTICES MAILED TO LANDOWNERS Brookings to Hampton December 2008

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6 Legend Proposed Corridors Brookings, SD - SE Twin Cities SE Twin Cities - Rochester - La Crosse Fargo, ND - Monticello N O R T H D A K O T A Fargo, ND Fergus Falls Alexandria St. Cloud Monticello Map Document: (N:\GISProj\xcel\4390\map_docs\mxd\notice_plan\march_revision\all_capx_lines_0507.mxd) 3// :59:0 AM S O U T H D A K O T A Brookings, SD Miles Marshall Granite Falls M I N N E S O T A MinneapolisSt Paul SE Twin Cities Red Wing Rochester CapX 2020 Phase I Transmission Study Corridors W I S C O N S I N Winona La Crosse March 2007

7 New Substation to be Located in this Area Minnesota Valley Substation Alternate 345 kv Alignment Existing 230 kv Line Corridor from Minnesota Valley to Blue Lake West Waconia Substation Lyon County to Granite Falls Area 345 kv Corridor Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities 345 kv Corridor Connection with Existing 345 kv Line Connection with Existing 345 kv Line Map Document: (N:\GISProj\xcel\4390\map_docs\mxd\notice_plan\march_revision\figure_capx_corridors_0507.mxd) 4/24/ :2:3 PM South Dakota Minnesota Miles Brookings County Substation Lyon County Substation CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line The proposed project consists of an approximately 200-mile, 345 kv electric transmission line between Brookings, SD and SE Twin Cities. The project will also include an approximately 30-mile 345 kv electric transmission line between Lyon County Substation and the Granite Falls area. Minnesota River Connection with Existing 5 kv Line Legend Potential Project Endpoints Existing Transmission Lines Existing Substations Proposed Area for New Substations Proposed Corridors 345 kv Project Corridor 345 kv Alternative Corridor Figure Transmission Study Corridors CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line 9 kv 5 kv kv 230 kv 345 kv 400 KV DC March 2007

8 Map Document: (N:\GISProj\xcel\4390\map_docs\mxd\notice_plan\march_revision\figure2_notice_plan_0507_with4sectioncorners.mxd) 4/24/ :9:47 PM LOWE MEHURIN ANTELOPE VALLEY 3 Potential Project Endpoints ALTAMONT Proposed GLENWOOD Area for NewMANFRED Substations CLEAR LAKE Duel County OAK LAKE SHERMAN Brookings County Sub ALTON Brookings County PARNELL Existing Substation RICHLAND South Dakota ELKTON HERRICK SCANDINAVIA SCANDINAVIA LAKE HENDRICKS WARD Minnesota FLORIDA FORTIER HANSONVILLE Hendricks HENDRICKS SHAOKATAN DRAMMEN VERDI Miles Legend Proposed Corridors kv Project Corridor 345 kv Alternative Project Corridor kv FREELAND kv 230 kv kv HAMMER NORMAN MARBLE ROYAL ASH LAKE Canby DIAMOND LAKE LAKE BENTON Ivanhoe Lincoln County PROVIDENCE OSHKOSH Yellow Medicine County WERGELAND Arco Porter ALTA VISTA LIMESTONE LAKE STAY MARSHFIELD HOPE Tyler Dawson GARFIELD HAMLIN RIVERSIDE 3 Existing Transmission 3Lines Lake Benton 9 kv Lac Qui Parle County MAXWELL OMRO Saint Leo BURTON Taunton EIDSVOLD NORDLAND ISLAND LAKE COON CREEK Florence SHELBURNE 3 Minneota 3 BAXTER TYRO Yellow Medicine LYND LYONS Russell Boyd TEN MILE SWEDE PRAIRIE WESTERHEIM GRANDVIEW River Lyon County LAKE Balaton SKANDIA Ghent Lynd CAMP RELEASE LISBON FRIENDSHIP NORMANIA VALLERS FAIRVIEW LAKE MARSHALL SODUS CUSTER LAKE SARAH Clarkfield New Substation to be Located in this Area Lyon County to Granite Falls Area 345 kv Corridor Marshall Garvin Montevideo SPARTA STONY RUN Hazel Run HAZEL RUN SANDNESS Cottonwood LUCUS STANLEY Lyon County Sub CLIFTON AMIRET MONROE Tracy LEENTHROP Chippewa County GRANITE FALLS 3 Granite Falls Hanley Falls CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line The proposed project consists of an approximately 200-mile, 345 kv electric transmission line between Brookings, SD and SE Twin Cities. The project will also include an approximately 30-mile 345 kv electric transmission line between Lyon County Substation and the Granite Falls area MINNESOTA FALLS WOOD LAKE Wood Lake POSEN UNDERWOOD Milroy WESTLINE GALES SPRINGDALE 3 Maynard WANG HAWK CREEK SIOUX AGENCY ECHO VESTA Echo Vesta Lucan GRANITE ROCK Sleepy Eye Creek JOHNSONVILLE NORTH HERO Walnut Grove 3 Minnesota 3 Valley Sub ERICSON SACRED HEART Boiling Spring Creek 3 Renville County SWEDE FOREST KINTIRE SHERIDAN Seaforth VAIL Redwood County Revere Clara City Sacred Heart Belview WAITEBURY LAMBERTON Wabasso CROOKS Renville EMMET FLORA Delhi Redwood River Minnesota River DEHLI REDWOOD FALLS NEW AVON WILLOW Wanda Prinsburg North Redwood CHARLESTOWN 3 Lamberton Sanborn 3 3 Kandiyohi County WINFIELD Danube TROY Alternate 345 kv Alignment Existing 230 kv Line Corridor from Minnesota Valley to Blue Lake HENRYVILLE HONNER PAXTON SUNDOWN Beaver Creek 3 Redwood Falls Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities 345 kv Corridor THREE LAKES Blomkest 3 Clements Olivia Birch Coulee Creek 3Morton KINGMAN BIRD ISLAND NORFOLK BIRCH COOLEE Wabasha Creek SHERMAN MORGAN Morgan BROOKVILLE Springfield Figure 2 Transmission Study Corridors CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line Bird Island Lake Lillian Franklin OSCEOLA MELVILLE PALMYRA BANDON Evan CAMP EDEN Cobden Brown County March BR RID

9 OSCEOLA Map Document: (N:\GISProj\xcel\4390\map_docs\mxd\notice_plan\march_revision\figure3_notice_plan_0507_with4sectioncorners.mxd) 4/24/ :2:48 PM MELVILLE PALMYRA BANDON Project Substations 3 CAMP EDEN RIDGELY 3 3 Existing 9 kv 3 Proposed Area for New Substations 5 kv Cosmos Cedar Mills 345 kv Project Corridor kv Alternative 3 Project Corridor Hutchinson Proposed Corridors BROOKFIELD Renville County HECTOR Hector MARTINSBURG WELLINGTON Fairfax CAIRO Brown County Sleepy Eye BOON LAKE PRESTON LAKE Buffalo Lake GRAFTON MOLTKE SEVERANCE WEST NEWTON Stewart Gibbon Miles Legend ELLSWORTH COLLIN WOOD Existing Transmission Lines LYNN COLLINS POUND GROVE BISMARCK Sibley County CORNISH LAFAYETTE New Ulm HASSAN VALLEY McLeod County SUMTER Glencoe Alternate 345 kv Alignment Existing 230 kv Line Corridor from Minnesota Valley to Blue Lake PENN TRANSIT ALFSBORG BERNADOTTE Biscay Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities 345 kv Corridor 3 3 Lafayette 3 Winthrop RICH VALLEY GLENCOE New Auburn NEW AUBURN DRYDEN Gaylord SIBLEY Silver Lake NEW SWEDEN Nicollet County Lester Prairie BERGEN HELEN GREEN ISLE ARLINGTON KELSO LAKE PRAIRIE Winsted 3 West Waconia Sub Young America Chaska Plato YOUNG AMERICA Cologne Carver Norwood BENTON DAHLGREN Hamburg JACKSON SAN FRANCISCO 3 OTTAWA CAMDEN Green Isle New Germany WASHINGTON LAKE JESSENLAND Henderson HENDERSON KASOTA Saint Peter FAXON Minnesota River Le Sueur New Hope Hilltop Columbia Heights Willernie Delano Medina Arden Hills 3 Independence Alternative Corridor Crystal Robbinsdale Little Canada Saint Anthony Alternatively, the line could follow an existing 230 kv line from Granite PineFalls. Springs Maple Plain Medicine Lake Golden Valley North Saint Paul It would then turn south somewhere in central Roseville RAMSEY Carver County and continue Medicine Lake Long Lake east to the Hampton Area. Lauderdale Minneapolis Falcon Heights Watertown Orono Wayzata Woodland Maplewood Saint Louis Park 3 3 Landfall MinnetristaMound Minnetonka Beach Saint Paul Spring Park Deephaven Hopkins Greenwood Minnetonka Lilydale Saint Bonifacius Excelsior Woodbury Shorewood Tonka Bay Hennepin County West Saint Paul Edina South Saint Paul Richfield Mendota Heights Mendota Sunfish Lake Victoria Chanhassen 3 3 3Newport Waconia Eden Prairie Inver Grove Heights WACONIA LAKETOWN Bloomington Saint Paul Park BLAKELY TYRONE Connection with Existing 345 kv Line SHARON CLEVELAND Cleveland Carver County ST LAWRENCE 3 Belle Plaine Arlington BELLE PLAINE DERRYNANE LEXINGTON Le Center LeSueur County CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line The proposed project consists of an approximately 200-mile, 345 kv electric transmission line between Brookings, SD and SE Twin Cities. The project will also include an approximately 30-mile 345 kv electric transmission line between Lyon County Substation and the Granite Falls area CORDOVA SAND CREEK Jordan HELENA LANESBURG Heidelberg Montgomery MONTGOMERY KILKENNY Kilkenny SPRING LAKE Scott County 3 New Prague 3 Shakopee CEDAR LAKE WHEATLAND WEBSTER Lonsdale ERIN SHIELDSVILLE Prior Lake Savage CREDIT RIVER NEW MARKET Elko New Market Connection with Existing 5 kv Line FOREST 3 Burnsville LAKEVILLE EUREKA GREENVALE BRIDGEWATER Rice County CANNON CITY Eagan Rosemount Apple Valley 3 Coates 3 Connection with Existing 345 kv Line VERMILLION Dakota County EMPIRE Lakeville Farmington CASTLE ROCK WATERFORD SCIOTA 3 Northfield Dundas 3 3 NORTHFIELD WHEELING Figure 3 Transmission Study Corridors CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line Nerstrand Vermillion HAMPTON Randolph STANTON WARSAW Dennison 3 Cottage Grove Hampton New Trier Goodhue County HOLDEN March 2007 WASHIN Can

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18 June 4, 2008 Notice of Certificate of Need proceeding for new high voltage electric power transmission line between Brookings, SD and the SE Twin Cities, MN that may be located in the following Minnesota Counties: Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Dakota, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Scott, Sibley, Yellow Medicine Dear Landowner or Resident: My name is Craig Poorker. I coordinate transmission line permitting projects for Great River Energy. I am writing to inform you of our proposal to build new transmission lines that may be located in your area. I would also like to introduce the regulatory process that will be conducted by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to determine if our proposals are needed and, if so, where the lines should be located. A broad study area was developed for routing the proposed Brookings to Twin Cities line and approximately 2,000 landowners in the study area were notified of our proposal in July While conducting additional analysis, we discovered that some residents within incorporated cities were inadvertently omitted from the original mailing. We apologize for the oversight and encourage you to be involved in the regulatory process described below. The lines will require regulatory approvals from state agencies in Minnesota and South Dakota before they can be built. The regulatory process is in its early stages in Minnesota and will begin soon in South Dakota. The purpose of my letter is to introduce our project proposals and to encourage you to participate in the regulatory processes that will examine the need and routing of our proposals. We will periodically send out additional information and notices as the regulatory process unfolds. Several utilities that own or operate parts of the electric transmission system serving Minnesota and surrounding states propose to build major new electric transmission lines, together about 50 miles long. Xcel Energy and Great River Energy are taking the lead to obtain permits. We have organized our proposals into the three projects described below and illustrated on the enclosed maps.

19 . A 345 kv transmission line project between Fargo, North Dakota and Monticello, Minnesota. Alternatively, the line could be terminated at Benton County Substation, located just east of St. Cloud instead of Monticello. We also propose to connect the line to the existing electrical system at Alexandria and on the west side of St. Cloud. The length of this project is approximately 250 miles. 2. A 345 kv transmission line project between the southeastern corner of the Twin Cities near Hampton, a new substation just north of Rochester, and on to La Crosse, Wisconsin. The length of this project is approximately 50 miles long. The proposal also includes building two kv transmission lines, together about 20 miles long, in the Rochester area. 3. A 345 kv transmission line project between Brookings, South Dakota and the southeast corner of the Twin Cities near Hampton. The length of this project s components is approximately 230 miles and includes a related 345 kv transmission line between Marshall and Granite Falls. A short segment of the line to Granite Falls would be 230 kv. The three transmission line projects are the result of a long-range planning study done by several utilities over the last few years. The joint planning effort has become known as CapX Participants in the CapX 2020 effort have posted their studies on the web at Minnesota utilities also post biennial transmission plans at If you would like a paper copy of these reports, please let me know. A list of CapX 2020 sponsoring utilities with contact information is enclosed. The list also notes the lead contact for each of the three proposed transmission line projects. 345-kV power lines typically are built using wood or steel, double-pole structures or steel single-pole structures, 20 to 50 feet tall, spaced about 00 to 000 feet apart, on a 50-foot wide right-of-way. If state regulators authorize the lines, the utilities will work with landowners to purchase a property right, called an easement, in order to build the transmission lines. If agreement on terms for an easement cannot be reached, the utilities can then submit the dispute to the eminent domain process. I would like to mention that we are providing you with this notice early in the permitting process. We want to provide those who may be affected every opportunity to participate in meetings and hearings to come. In the end, many of you will not be directly affected, but at this stage of the process, all potentially affected parties within the expanded corridor on the enclosed map are being notified. We hope you will take the time to participate in the regulatory processes that will examine the need and routing of our proposals. Please don t count on others to represent your interests.

20 Two required Minnesota Public Utilities Commission proceedings must take place before our proposed transmission lines can be constructed. The first proceeding is to determine whether the facilities are needed. The second will be conducted to determine where the facilities should be built. These transmission lines cannot be constructed unless the Commission determines they are needed and issues both a Certificate of Need and a Route Permit. We filed an Application for a Certificate of Need for these projects on August, As part of the Certificate of Need process, the Department of Commerce will prepare an Environmental Report. Additional environmental review will take place during the routing process. The routing process will consider environmental, land use, and potential routing impacts. Federal agencies will also prepare environmental review documents as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Both the Need and Routing processes emphasize public participation. There will be public meetings and hearings in your area over the coming couple of years, so that you can participate in these important energy infrastructure decisions. Notice of public hearings and meetings will be posted in local newspapers. Please keep in mind that Need issues are to be raised only during the Certificate of Need proceedings. Issues concerning routing of the transmission lines are to be raised only during Route Permit proceedings. Minnesota Statutes, 2B.243, and Minnesota Rules, Chapters 405, 440, 7829, and 7849 govern requests for Certificates of Need for high voltage transmission lines. Minnesota Statutes, 2E and Minnesota Rules, Chapter 405 and 7849, govern requests for Route Permits. On February 5, 2007, Applicants filed with the Commission a request for exemption from certain Certificate of Need filing requirements; Applicants included a copy of the Commission s order responding to the exception request in the Certificate of need application. We have posted regulatory filings that have been made so far at our web site, Our application is also available at area libraries and upon request. We will provide updates to those that sign up on our mailing list at the web site. If you prefer, sign up by contacting me in any of the ways listed below.

21 You can also add your name to official state agency mailing lists and learn more about the permitting process by contacting the following state agency people. There will be separate mailing lists for the Need process and for the Routing process so please indicate on which list(s) you want your name placed. The Public Utilities Commission will reference the Certificate of Need proceeding for this project as Docket No. ET-2, E002, et al./cn-0-5 In the Matter of the Application of Great River Energy, Northern States Power Company (d/b/a Xcel Energy) and Others for a Certificate of Need for the CapX kV Transmission Projects. Notice will again be provided to potentially affected landowners when Route Permit Applications are filed in Certificate of Need Process Routing & Environmental Review Bret Eknes Deborah Pile Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Minnesota Department of Commerce 2 7 th Place East, Suite th Place East, Suite 500 St. Paul, Minnesota 550 St. Paul, Minnesota (5) (5) bret.eknes@state.mn.us deborah.pile@state.mn.us Please feel free to also contact me with your questions. Craig Poorker Great River Energy P.O. Box 238 Elk River, MN cpoorker@grenergy.com We look forward to working with you in the months to come. Sincerely, Craig Poorker Senior Field Representative, Land Rights Great River Energy Enclosures

22 Legend SE Twin Cities - Rochester - La Crosse Proposed Corridors Brookings, SD - SE Twin Cities Fargo, ND - Monticello Additional Proposed 345 kv Project Corridor - March 2008 Additional Proposed 345 kv Project Corridor - June 2008 N O R T H D A K O T A Fargo, ND Fargo Fergus Falls Alexandria St. Cloud Monticello S O U T H D A K O T A Brookings, SD Brookings Marshall Granite Falls M I N N E S O T A Minneapolis St Paul SE Twin Cities Red Wing Rochester W I S C O N S I N Winona La Crosse La Crosse Sioux Falls Miles June 2008 CapX 2020 Phase I Transmission Study Corridors

23 Potential Project Endpoints Buffalo Existing Substations 345 kv Project Albertville Corridor Waconia Legend Proposed Area for New Substations Proposed Corridors 345 kv Alternative Corridor Additional Proposed 345 kv Project Corridor - March 2008 Additional Proposed 345 kv Project Corridor - June 2008 Bloomington Existing Transmission Lines 9 kv 5 kv kv 230 kv 345 kv Blaine 400 kv DC Minneapolis Hampton Northfield Saint Paul Lake Marion Substation Stillwater Hastings June 2008 Cannon Falls Appleton Willmar Alternate 345 kv Alignment Existing 230 kv Line Corridor from Minnesota Valley to Blue Lake New Substation to be Located in this Area Granite Falls Minnesota Valley Substation Hutchinson West Waconia Substation Map Document: (N:\GISProj\GRE\420\map_docs\mxd\notice_maps\revised_June08\figure_capx_noticearea_00408.mxd) /4/ :07:57 AM South Dakota Minnesota Brookings County Substation Pipestone Miles Lyon County to Granite Falls Area 345 kv Corridor Ivanhoe Marshall Franklin Substation Lyon County Substation Olivia Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities 345 kv Corridor Redwood Falls Franklin Minnesota River New Substation to be Located in this Area CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line The proposed project consists of an approximately 200-mile, 345 kv electric transmission line between Brookings, SD and SE Twin Cities. The project will also include an approximately 30-mile 345 kv electric transmission line between Lyon County Substation and the Granite Falls area. Connection with Existing 345 kv Line New Ulm Arlington Glencoe St Peter Le Sueur Belle Plaine Shakopee New Prague Connection with Existing 345 kv Line Lakeville Figure Transmission Study Corridors CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line Faribault

24 3 3 Kandiyohi County WINFIELD 3 Danube 3 3 TROY Alternate 345 kv Alignment Existing 230 kv Line Corridor from Minnesota Valley to Blue Lake HENRYVILLE HONNER PAXTON SUNDOWN Beaver Creek THREE LAKES Blomkest Olivia Birch Coulee Creek KINGMAN BIRD ISLAND NORFOLK BIRCH COOLEE Wabasha Creek SHERMAN Morgan MORGAN BROOKVILLE Springfield Bird Island 3Morton 3 3 Redwood Falls Franklin Sub Franklin Clements 3 New Substation to be Located in this Area Lake Lillian OSCEOLA MELVILLE PALMYRA BANDON Evan CAMP EDEN 3 Cobden Brown County June Map Document: (N:\GISProj\GRE\420\map_docs\mxd\notice_maps\revised_June08\figure_notice_plan_west_00408_with4sectioncorners.mxd) /4/ :2: AM LOWE MEHURIN 3 3 Potential Project Endpoints ALTAMONT GLENWOOD Proposed Area for New MANFRED Substations BRANDT Duel County OAK LAKE Brookings County 3 3 South Dakota Minnesota LAKE HENDRICKS CLEAR LAKE Additional HERRICK Proposed FLORIDA 345 kv SCANDINAVIA SCANDINAVIA SHERMAN Brookings County Sub ALTON PARNELL Existing Substation Proposed Corridors RICHLAND ELKTON 3 WARD NORDEN 345 kv Project Corridor FORTIER HANSONVILLE Hendricks HENDRICKS SHAOKATAN DRAMMEN VERDI Miles Legend 345 kv Alternative Project Corridor Project Corridor - March 2008 Additional 3 Proposed 345 kv Project Corridor - June 2008 FREELAND HAMMER NORMAN MARBLE ROYAL ASH LAKE DIAMOND LAKE LAKE BENTON PROVIDENCE OSHKOSH Yellow Medicine County Ivanhoe Lincoln County Lake Benton WERGELAND Porter ALTA VISTA LIMESTONE LAKE STAY MARSHFIELD HOPE Tyler Dawson GARFIELD HAMLIN RIVERSIDE 3 3 Existing Transmission Lines 9 kv 5 kv kv kv 345 kv 3 Canby Arco Lac Qui Parle County MAXWELL OMRO Saint Leo BURTON Taunton EIDSVOLD NORDLAND ISLAND LAKE COON CREEK Florence SHELBURNE Minneota BAXTER Boyd TEN MILE TYRO SWEDE PRAIRIE Yellow Medicine WESTERHEIM GRANDVIEW LYND LYONS Russell Lynd River Ghent Lyon County 3 LAKE Balaton CAMP RELEASE LISBON Clarkfield FRIENDSHIP NORMANIA VALLERS FAIRVIEW LAKE MARSHALL SODUS CUSTER 3 SKANDIA LAKE SARAH 3 3 Lyon County to Granite Falls Area 345 kv Corridor Garvin Montevideo SPARTA STONY RUN HAZEL RUN Hazel Run 3 Marshall SANDNESS Cottonwood LUCUS STANLEY Lyon County Sub CLIFTON AMIRET MONROE Tracy LEENTHROP Chippewa County 3 Granite Falls Hanley Falls CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line The proposed project consists of an approximately 200-mile, 345 kv electric transmission line between Brookings, SD and SE Twin Cities. The project will also include an approximately 30-mile 345 kv electric transmission line between Lyon County Substation and the Granite Falls area GRANITE FALLS MINNESOTA FALLS WOOD LAKE Wood Lake POSEN UNDERWOOD Milroy WESTLINE GALES SPRINGDALE Maynard WANG HAWK CREEK SIOUX AGENCY ECHO Vesta VESTA GRANITE ROCK Lucan Sleepy Eye Creek JOHNSONVILLE 3 NORTH HERO Walnut Grove Revere 3 Clara City ERICSON Minnesota 3 Valley Sub 3 Sacred Heart New Substation to be Located in this Area SACRED HEART Boiling Spring Creek 3 Renville County KINTIRE SHERIDAN Seaforth VAIL Redwood County SWEDE FOREST Echo Belview 3 WAITEBURY LAMBERTON Wabasso CROOKS Renville EMMET FLORA Delhi Redwood River Minnesota River DEHLI REDWOOD FALLS NEW AVON WILLOW Wanda Prinsburg North Redwood Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities 345 kv Corridor CHARLESTOWN Lamberton Sanborn 3 Figure 2 Transmission Study Corridors CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line

25 Shakopee New Hope Hilltop Columbia Heights Willernie Arden Hills Crystal Robbinsdale Legend Saint Anthony Little Canada Pine Springs Golden Valley North Saint Paul Existing Roseville RAMSEY Transmission Lines Lauderdale Existing Substations Minneapolis 9 kv Falcon Heights Proposed Area for New Substations 5 kv Maplewood Saint Louis Park Landfall kv Saint Paul Hopkins 345 kv Project Corridor 230 kv Lilydale Woodbury Hennepin 345 kv Alternative County Project Corridor 345 West kv Saint Paul Edina South Saint Paul Additional Proposed Richfield 345 kv Mendota Heights Mendota Project Corridor - March 2008 Sunfish Lake Newport Additional Proposed 345 kv Inver Grove Heights Project Corridor - Bloomington June 2008 Saint Paul Park Prior Lake Savage Burnsville Eagan Apple Valley Rosemount Connection with Existing 345 kv Line Coates VERMILLION Vermillion Hampton New Trier HAMPTON Randolph STANTON WARSAW Dennison Goodhue County HOLDEN June 2008 WASHI Cottage Grove C EOLA Alternative Corridor Alternatively, the line could follow an existing ELLSWORTH 230 kv line COLLIN from Granite WOOD Falls. It would then turn south somewhere in central Carver County and continue east to the Hampton Area. Cosmos BROOKFIELD BOON LAKE Cedar Mills LYNN Hutchinson HASSAN VALLEY Biscay Silver Lake McLeod County RICH VALLEY Delano Long Lake Independence Medina Maple Plain Winsted Watertown Orono Wayzata Medicine Lake Woodland Minnetrista Deephaven Minnetonka Eden Prairie Mound Minnetonka Beach Spring Park Saint Bonifacius Greenwood Tonka Bay Lester Prairie New Germany Victoria Chanhassen Waconia BERGEN CAMDEN WACONIA LAKETOWN Project Substations Medicine Lake Proposed Corridors VILLE Renville County HECTOR PRESTON LAKE Hector Buffalo Lake Stewart COLLINS SUMTER GLENCOE GlencoeHELEN Alternate 345 kv Alignment Existing 230 kv Line Corridor from Minnesota Valley to Blue Lake Plato Young America YOUNG AMERICA Norwood Hamburg Cologne BENTON Carver County DAHLGREN Chaska Carver JACKSON SAN FRANCISCO Map Document: (N:\GISProj\GRE\420\map_docs\mxd\notice_maps\revised_June08\figure_notice_plan_east_00408_with4sectioncorners.mxd) /4/ ::7 AM RA ON CAMP EDEN MARTINSBURG RIDGELY WELLINGTON Fairfax CAIRO Brown County Sleepy Eye GRAFTON MOLTKE SEVERANCE WEST NEWTON Gibbon Miles POUND GROVE PENN Sibley County BISMARCK CORNISH LAFAYETTE New Ulm Lafayette TRANSIT Winthrop ALFSBORG Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities 345 kv Corridor New Auburn NEW AUBURN DRYDEN Gaylord SIBLEY Nicollet County GREEN ISLE Arlington ARLINGTON KELSO BERNADOTTE NEW SWEDEN LAKE PRAIRIE Green Isle WASHINGTON LAKE JESSENLAND HENDERSON OTTAWA Henderson KASOTA Saint Peter Minnesota River Le Sueur FAXON BLAKELY TYRONE Connection with Existing 345 kv Line SHARON CLEVELAND Cleveland ST LAWRENCE Belle Plaine CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line The proposed project consists of an approximately 200-mile, 345 kv electric transmission line between Brookings, SD and SE Twin Cities. The project will also include an approximately 30-mile 345 kv electric transmission line between Lyon County Substation and the Granite Falls area. BELLE PLAINE DERRYNANE LEXINGTON Le Center HELENA Scott County LANESBURG WHEATLAND WEBSTER Heidelberg Lonsdale LeSueur County Rice County CORDOVA SAND CREEK Jordan New Prague Montgomery MONTGOMERY KILKENNY Kilkenny SPRING LAKE CEDAR LAKE ERIN SHIELDSVILLE CREDIT RIVER NEW MARKET Elko New Market FOREST LAKEVILLE Lakeville Lake Marion Sub EUREKA GREENVALE BRIDGEWATER CANNON CITY Dakota County Dundas EMPIRE Farmington CASTLE ROCK WATERFORD Northfield Figure 3 Transmission Study Corridors CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line NORTHFIELD WHEELING SCIOTA Nerstrand

26

27 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION In the Matter of the Xcel Energy and Great River Energy Certificate of Need Application for Three 345 kv Transmission Lines in Minnesota PUC Docket ET-2, E-002/CN-0-5 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) will hold public hearings in this matter at the dates, times and locations listed below. The purpose of these proceedings is to determine whether the proposed high voltage electric transmission lines are needed and in the public interest. Proposed Project Description Xcel Energy and Great River Energy, on behalf of transmission-owning utilities known as the CapX 2020 applicants (applicants), have jointly applied to the MPUC for a Certificate of Need for three 345 kilovolt (kv) and two kv electric transmission lines. The applicants projects, referred to cumulatively as the CapX 2020 transmission expansion initiative (CapX 2020) proposes transmission lines to connect substations in the following general locations: A 250-mile, 345 kv line between Fargo, North Dakota and Monticello, Minnesota. A 200-mile, 345 kv line between Brookings, South Dakota and Dakota County (Hampton), Minnesota; including a related 345 kv line between Marshall, Minnesota and Granite Falls, Minnesota. A 50-mile, 345 kv line from Dakota County (Hampton), Minnesota, to Rochester, Minnesota and continuing to La Crosse, Wisconsin: including two connecting kv lines near Rochester, Minnesota. The applicants state that the transmission lines are part of a long-term plan intended to strengthen the transmission network to meet demand for electrical power anticipated in Minnesota and surrounding states by 2020, in part to increase access to renewable energy sources. In addition, the project is intended to address service reliability concerns in several communities including Rochester, St. Cloud, the Alexandria area and the Red River Valley. Purpose and Conduct of Public Hearings Xcel Energy and Great River Energy, on behalf of the applicants, applied to the MPUC for a Certificate of Need on August, Before any high voltage transmission line project(s) can be constructed in Minnesota, the MPUC must determine that the project(s) is necessary and in the best interest of the state. The Certificate of Need process includes a limited environmental review, public hearings, and evidentiary hearings. The review process typically requires at least 2-months to complete. The public hearings are the only opportunity for the public to appear in person, in Minnesota, to: ) provide their input on the necessity of this project, 2) provide input on the no-build alternative, and 3) address alternatives (non-route related) for the MPUC to consider (see below for information on written comments). The criteria that the MPUC must address when rendering a final decision are found in Minnesota Statutes 2B.243, Subd.3 & 3a, and Minnesota Rules Moorhead, MN Tuesday, June 7, pm Horizon Middle School Cafetorium 30 2th Avenue South Fergus Falls, MN Wednesday, June 8, am MN State Community and Technical College Science Lecture Hall, Room S College Way Alexandria, MN Wednesday, June 8, pm Alexandria Technical College Auditorium 205, Main Building 0 Jefferson Street SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS Melrose, MN Thursday, June 9, am Melrose Area High School Auditorium, Door 3 54 North 5th Avenue East Clearwater, MN Thursday, June 9, 2008, 5 pm Friday, June 20, 2008, 9 am Clearwater Township Hall 505 State Highway 24 Marshall, MN Monday, June 23, 2008, 5 pm Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 0 am Marshall High School Auditorium 400 Tiger Drive Redwood Falls, MN Tuesday, June 24, pm Redwood Falls High School Auditorium 00 George Ramseth Drive Arlington, MN Wednesday, June 25, am Arlington Community Center, Room Shamrock Drive New Prague, MN Wednesday, June 25, pm New Prague High School Commons 22 2th Street N.E. Lakeville, MN Thursday, June 2, 2008 pm and 5 pm Lakeville South High School Auditorium 235 Jacquard Avenue Cannon Falls, MN Monday, June 30, 2008 pm and 7 pm Cannon Falls Elementary School 020 E. Minnesota Street Winona, MN Tuesday, July, 2008 pm and 7 pm Tau Conference Center Winona State University West Campus 5 Hilbert Street Rochester, MN Wednesday, July 2, 2008 pm and 7 pm John Adams Middle School Auditorium 525 st Street N.W.

28 Public Hearing An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) from the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings will hold public hearings for the MPUC to establish a complete and accurate record regarding the need for the proposed CapX 2020 electric transmission line projects. Any person who would like to comment on this matter can do so at any of the scheduled public hearings (above) or in writing to the ALJ (see address below). If you need any reasonable accommodation to enable you to fully participate in these public hearings (i.e. sign language or foreign language interpreter, wheel chair accessibility, or large-print materials) please contact the MPUC at (5) or (800) at least one week in advance of the hearing. Written Public Comment Period Deadline In order to be considered, written public comments should be filed with the Administrative Law Judge on or before 4:30 p.m. on August 22, Comments may be filed by U.S. mail (see address below), fax (5) -793, or to capx.oah@state.mn.us. Written comments are most effective when the following items are included:. The section of the CapX proposal you are addressing. 2. Your specific recommendation. 3. The reason for your recommendation. Administrative Law Judge Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger will preside at the hearing; written comments can be mailed to her at: Office of Administrative Hearings Attn: Beverly Jones Heydinger P.O. Box 420 St. Paul, MN, Upon completion of all hearings, the Judge will forward the record of the proceedings (including oral and written public comments), a summary report of the facts in the record, and a recommendation to the MPUC. Thereafter, the MPUC will schedule a final public hearing, likely in the winter of , to determine whether a Certificate of Need should be granted or denied. Evidentiary Hearing Time: Monday, July 4, 2008 at 0:00 am (CST) Location: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Large Hearing Room (3rd Floor) 2 7th Place East St. Paul, MN Following the public hearings as described above, Judge Heydinger will convene the evidentiary hearing, which will continue until all formal Parties to the case have completed presentations of evidence and examined witnesses pursuant to Minn. Rules Chapter 400. It is anticipated that the evidentiary hearing may continue at the MPUC for three to four weeks. The public is welcome to observe the hearing. Only testimony from formal Parties will be heard at the evidentiary hearing; no public testimony will be taken. Becoming a Party Any person who desires to intervene in this matter and be granted Party status must submit a written petition (request to intervene) to Judge Heydinger by July 3, Persons interested in becoming a Party should review Minn. Rules governing intervention. Petitions to intervene received after July 3, 2008 will be considered, but the scope of participation may be limited. Persons who are not Parties may, upon request, be granted the opportunity for limited participation, including the opportunity to testify, offer exhibits and question other parties witnesses, but will not be deemed a Party by reason of such participation. Persons who are not Parties are encouraged to provide their testimony and exhibits at the public hearings. Materials Available for Review All official public materials relating to this matter can be viewed on edockets the MPUC s electronic documents system. To access information in this matter by computer, go to the MPUC s webpage at click CapX 2020 under Quick Links, and follow the guidance for accessing edockets. The Application (received date 8//07) and the Environmental Report (received date 3//08) are key documents describing the proposed project. The Environmental Report describes the human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, alternatives to the project and methods to mitigate anticipated adverse impacts. Persons without internet access may contact the MPUC staff listed below to request documents of interest or assistance in identifying appropriate documents. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide such documents by mail. The Application, Environmental Report, applicable procedural rules, and the pre-filed testimony of all parties will be available for public review at the hearings. The applicable agency rule in this matter, Minn. Rule Chapter 7849, is available to review online at and will be available at the public hearings. Inquiries, Project Contact The Commission has designated Bret Eknes of the MPUC staff as its public advisor in this matter. He may be contacted by phone at (5) , by at bret.eknes@state.mn.us, or in writing to: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 2 7th Place E., Suite 350, Saint Paul, MN The public advisor has been appointed to assist and advise persons interested in taking part in the proceedings. However, the public advisor is not authorized to give legal advice. Public comments on this matter should be sent to the ALJ as described above. Forthcoming Route Permit Application and Routing Process Please note, that specific routes the proposed transmission lines may follow have not yet been proposed by the CapX 2020 utilities. The transmission line routes will be reviewed through a separate MPUC permitting process expected to begin in the fall of Additional public hearings on routing of the lines will be announced when the route applications have been filed with the MPUC. The public hearings that are the subject of this notice are not intended to address routing related issues. A route permit cannot be issued until the project is determined to be in the public s interest and needed by the PUC. Eminent Domain Authority If the PUC issues a Certificate of Need in this current matter, and also issues a route permit, Xcel Energy and Great River Energy may exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire the land necessary for the project pursuant to Minnesota Statute 2E.2 and Minnesota Statute 7.

29 June 2008 CapX2020UPDATE Stay Informed The best way to participate is to stay informed. Follow progress on the individual agency Web sites and on the CapX 2020 Web site at Minnesota PUC: To view CapX 2020 filings, go to the PUC s Web site at click on E-documents on the left-hand side, click on Search documents, and search for docket 0-5. In the search field, 0 stands for the year 200 (when the first CapX 2020 document was filed). Use 0 for the year and 5 in the second field, then press the search button. South Dakota Public Utilities Commission: Can be contacted at (05) or by visiting Brookings, SD SE Twin Cities 345-kV Project Timeline Presorted First-Class Mail U.S. Postage PAID Saint Paul, MN Permit No Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Dairyland Power Cooperative Great River Energy Minnesota Power Minnkota Power Cooperative Missouri River Energy Services Otter Tail Power Company Rochester Public Utilities Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Wisconsin Public Power Inc. Xcel Energy State public hearings on Certificate of Need Two major approvals must be obtained from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) before a high voltage transmission line can be built: a Certificate of Need (CON) and a Route Permit. The CapX 2020 utilities filed a CON application with the PUC for its three 345 kilovolt (kv) lines in August 2007, including the Brookings, SD SE Twin Cities line. As part of the CON process, the PUC is hosting 9 public hearings from June 7 to July 2 (see insert). The PUC public hearings, which will take place in 3 cities, will be presided over by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The purpose of the hearings is to determine whether the proposed transmission lines are needed and in the public interest. Several parties involved in the proceedings have asked the CapX 2020 utilities to look at increasing the capacity and size of the Brookings, SD SE Twin Cities line (higher voltage or double circuit). The question of line size will be determined in the CON hearing process. Anyone can present testimony and express opinions concerning the utility proposal or alternatives on the Certificate of Need. The CapX 2020 utilities urge all interested citizens to attend a hearing in their area. Contact information for the three 345-kV projects: Brookings, SD SE Twin Cities (888) brookingsinfo@capx2020.com Fargo Alexandria St. Cloud Monticello (8) fargoinfo@capx2020.com SE Twin Cities Rochester La Crosse (800) lacrosseinfo@capx2020.com

30 June 2008 CapX2020UPDATE What Happens Next? When the CapX 2020 utilities filed their Minnesota Certificate of Need application they included broad notice corridors that extended between the general areas proposed for the beginning and end-points of each proposed line. Over the past 0 months the three project teams have met with landowners, local and state officials, community leaders, agencies, and environmental and other interested parties to collect input for the development of route options that will be included in a Minnesota Route Permit. The Brookings SE Twin Cities project team is moving toward filing a Route Permit in late Similar review, permit and approval processes are required by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The state regulatory agencies will make the final determination on the routes. Brookings, SD to Franklin Substation Area Proposed Route Options Factoid States with the largest percentage of wind generation in 2007 Wind generation (as percentage of all electricity generation) Iowa 5.5% Minnesota 4.% New Mexico 3.9% Oregon 3.5% South Dakota 2.% Franklin Substation Area to SE Twin Cities Proposed Route Options

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35 Legend SE Twin Cities - Rochester - La Crosse Proposed Corridors Brookings, SD - SE Twin Cities Fargo, ND - Monticello Additional Proposed 345 kv Project Corridor - March 2008 Additional Proposed 345 kv Project Corridor - June 2008 N O R T H D A K O T A Fargo, ND Fargo Fergus Falls Alexandria St. Cloud Monticello S O U T H D A K O T A Brookings, SD Brookings Marshall Granite Falls M I N N E S O T A Minneapolis St Paul SE Twin Cities Red Wing Rochester W I S C O N S I N Winona La Crosse La Crosse Sioux Falls Miles June 2008 CapX 2020 Phase I Transmission Study Corridors

36 Potential Project Endpoints Buffalo Existing Substations 345 kv Project Albertville Corridor Waconia Legend Proposed Area for New Substations Proposed Corridors 345 kv Alternative Corridor Additional Proposed 345 kv Project Corridor - March 2008 Additional Proposed 345 kv Project Corridor - June 2008 Bloomington Existing Transmission Lines 9 kv 5 kv kv 230 kv 345 kv Blaine 400 kv DC Minneapolis Hampton Northfield Saint Paul Lake Marion Substation Stillwater Hastings June 2008 Cannon Falls Appleton Willmar Alternate 345 kv Alignment Existing 230 kv Line Corridor from Minnesota Valley to Blue Lake New Substation to be Located in this Area Granite Falls Minnesota Valley Substation Hutchinson West Waconia Substation Map Document: (N:\GISProj\GRE\420\map_docs\mxd\notice_maps\revised_June08\figure_capx_noticearea_00408.mxd) /4/ :07:57 AM South Dakota Minnesota Brookings County Substation Pipestone Miles Lyon County to Granite Falls Area 345 kv Corridor Ivanhoe Marshall Franklin Substation Lyon County Substation Olivia Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities 345 kv Corridor Redwood Falls Franklin Minnesota River New Substation to be Located in this Area CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line The proposed project consists of an approximately 200-mile, 345 kv electric transmission line between Brookings, SD and SE Twin Cities. The project will also include an approximately 30-mile 345 kv electric transmission line between Lyon County Substation and the Granite Falls area. Connection with Existing 345 kv Line New Ulm Arlington Glencoe St Peter Le Sueur Belle Plaine Shakopee New Prague Connection with Existing 345 kv Line Lakeville Figure Transmission Study Corridors CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line Faribault

37 3 3 Kandiyohi County WINFIELD 3 Danube 3 3 TROY Alternate 345 kv Alignment Existing 230 kv Line Corridor from Minnesota Valley to Blue Lake HENRYVILLE HONNER PAXTON SUNDOWN Beaver Creek THREE LAKES Blomkest Olivia Birch Coulee Creek KINGMAN BIRD ISLAND NORFOLK BIRCH COOLEE Wabasha Creek SHERMAN Morgan MORGAN BROOKVILLE Springfield Bird Island 3Morton 3 3 Redwood Falls Franklin Sub Franklin Clements 3 New Substation to be Located in this Area Lake Lillian OSCEOLA MELVILLE PALMYRA BANDON Evan CAMP EDEN 3 Cobden Brown County June Map Document: (N:\GISProj\GRE\420\map_docs\mxd\notice_maps\revised_June08\figure_notice_plan_west_00408_with4sectioncorners.mxd) /4/ :2: AM LOWE MEHURIN 3 3 Potential Project Endpoints ALTAMONT GLENWOOD Proposed Area for New MANFRED Substations BRANDT Duel County OAK LAKE Brookings County 3 3 South Dakota Minnesota LAKE HENDRICKS CLEAR LAKE Additional HERRICK Proposed FLORIDA 345 kv SCANDINAVIA SCANDINAVIA SHERMAN Brookings County Sub ALTON PARNELL Existing Substation Proposed Corridors RICHLAND ELKTON 3 WARD NORDEN 345 kv Project Corridor FORTIER HANSONVILLE Hendricks HENDRICKS SHAOKATAN DRAMMEN VERDI Miles Legend 345 kv Alternative Project Corridor Project Corridor - March 2008 Additional 3 Proposed 345 kv Project Corridor - June 2008 FREELAND HAMMER NORMAN MARBLE ROYAL ASH LAKE DIAMOND LAKE LAKE BENTON PROVIDENCE OSHKOSH Yellow Medicine County Ivanhoe Lincoln County Lake Benton WERGELAND Porter ALTA VISTA LIMESTONE LAKE STAY MARSHFIELD HOPE Tyler Dawson GARFIELD HAMLIN RIVERSIDE 3 3 Existing Transmission Lines 9 kv 5 kv kv kv 345 kv 3 Canby Arco Lac Qui Parle County MAXWELL OMRO Saint Leo BURTON Taunton EIDSVOLD NORDLAND ISLAND LAKE COON CREEK Florence SHELBURNE Minneota BAXTER Boyd TEN MILE TYRO SWEDE PRAIRIE Yellow Medicine WESTERHEIM GRANDVIEW LYND LYONS Russell Lynd River Ghent Lyon County 3 LAKE Balaton CAMP RELEASE LISBON Clarkfield FRIENDSHIP NORMANIA VALLERS FAIRVIEW LAKE MARSHALL SODUS CUSTER 3 SKANDIA LAKE SARAH 3 3 Lyon County to Granite Falls Area 345 kv Corridor Garvin Montevideo SPARTA STONY RUN HAZEL RUN Hazel Run 3 Marshall SANDNESS Cottonwood LUCUS STANLEY Lyon County Sub CLIFTON AMIRET MONROE Tracy LEENTHROP Chippewa County 3 Granite Falls Hanley Falls CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line The proposed project consists of an approximately 200-mile, 345 kv electric transmission line between Brookings, SD and SE Twin Cities. The project will also include an approximately 30-mile 345 kv electric transmission line between Lyon County Substation and the Granite Falls area GRANITE FALLS MINNESOTA FALLS WOOD LAKE Wood Lake POSEN UNDERWOOD Milroy WESTLINE GALES SPRINGDALE Maynard WANG HAWK CREEK SIOUX AGENCY ECHO Vesta VESTA GRANITE ROCK Lucan Sleepy Eye Creek JOHNSONVILLE 3 NORTH HERO Walnut Grove Revere 3 Clara City ERICSON Minnesota 3 Valley Sub 3 Sacred Heart New Substation to be Located in this Area SACRED HEART Boiling Spring Creek 3 Renville County KINTIRE SHERIDAN Seaforth VAIL Redwood County SWEDE FOREST Echo Belview 3 WAITEBURY LAMBERTON Wabasso CROOKS Renville EMMET FLORA Delhi Redwood River Minnesota River DEHLI REDWOOD FALLS NEW AVON WILLOW Wanda Prinsburg North Redwood Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities 345 kv Corridor CHARLESTOWN Lamberton Sanborn 3 Figure 2 Transmission Study Corridors CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line

38 Shakopee New Hope Hilltop Columbia Heights Willernie Arden Hills Crystal Robbinsdale Legend Saint Anthony Little Canada Pine Springs Golden Valley North Saint Paul Existing Roseville RAMSEY Transmission Lines Lauderdale Existing Substations Minneapolis 9 kv Falcon Heights Proposed Area for New Substations 5 kv Maplewood Saint Louis Park Landfall kv Saint Paul Hopkins 345 kv Project Corridor 230 kv Lilydale Woodbury Hennepin 345 kv Alternative County Project Corridor 345 West kv Saint Paul Edina South Saint Paul Additional Proposed Richfield 345 kv Mendota Heights Mendota Project Corridor - March 2008 Sunfish Lake Newport Additional Proposed 345 kv Inver Grove Heights Project Corridor - Bloomington June 2008 Saint Paul Park Prior Lake Savage Burnsville Eagan Apple Valley Rosemount Connection with Existing 345 kv Line Coates VERMILLION Vermillion Hampton New Trier HAMPTON Randolph STANTON WARSAW Dennison Goodhue County HOLDEN June 2008 WASHI Cottage Grove C EOLA Alternative Corridor Alternatively, the line could follow an existing ELLSWORTH 230 kv line COLLIN from Granite WOOD Falls. It would then turn south somewhere in central Carver County and continue east to the Hampton Area. Cosmos BROOKFIELD BOON LAKE Cedar Mills LYNN Hutchinson HASSAN VALLEY Biscay Silver Lake McLeod County RICH VALLEY Delano Long Lake Independence Medina Maple Plain Winsted Watertown Orono Wayzata Medicine Lake Woodland Minnetrista Deephaven Minnetonka Eden Prairie Mound Minnetonka Beach Spring Park Saint Bonifacius Greenwood Tonka Bay Lester Prairie New Germany Victoria Chanhassen Waconia BERGEN CAMDEN WACONIA LAKETOWN Project Substations Medicine Lake Proposed Corridors VILLE Renville County HECTOR PRESTON LAKE Hector Buffalo Lake Stewart COLLINS SUMTER GLENCOE GlencoeHELEN Alternate 345 kv Alignment Existing 230 kv Line Corridor from Minnesota Valley to Blue Lake Plato Young America YOUNG AMERICA Norwood Hamburg Cologne BENTON Carver County DAHLGREN Chaska Carver JACKSON SAN FRANCISCO Map Document: (N:\GISProj\GRE\420\map_docs\mxd\notice_maps\revised_June08\figure_notice_plan_east_00408_with4sectioncorners.mxd) /4/ ::7 AM RA ON CAMP EDEN MARTINSBURG RIDGELY WELLINGTON Fairfax CAIRO Brown County Sleepy Eye GRAFTON MOLTKE SEVERANCE WEST NEWTON Gibbon Miles POUND GROVE PENN Sibley County BISMARCK CORNISH LAFAYETTE New Ulm Lafayette TRANSIT Winthrop ALFSBORG Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities 345 kv Corridor New Auburn NEW AUBURN DRYDEN Gaylord SIBLEY Nicollet County GREEN ISLE Arlington ARLINGTON KELSO BERNADOTTE NEW SWEDEN LAKE PRAIRIE Green Isle WASHINGTON LAKE JESSENLAND HENDERSON OTTAWA Henderson KASOTA Saint Peter Minnesota River Le Sueur FAXON BLAKELY TYRONE Connection with Existing 345 kv Line SHARON CLEVELAND Cleveland ST LAWRENCE Belle Plaine CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line The proposed project consists of an approximately 200-mile, 345 kv electric transmission line between Brookings, SD and SE Twin Cities. The project will also include an approximately 30-mile 345 kv electric transmission line between Lyon County Substation and the Granite Falls area. BELLE PLAINE DERRYNANE LEXINGTON Le Center HELENA Scott County LANESBURG WHEATLAND WEBSTER Heidelberg Lonsdale LeSueur County Rice County CORDOVA SAND CREEK Jordan New Prague Montgomery MONTGOMERY KILKENNY Kilkenny SPRING LAKE CEDAR LAKE ERIN SHIELDSVILLE CREDIT RIVER NEW MARKET Elko New Market FOREST LAKEVILLE Lakeville Lake Marion Sub EUREKA GREENVALE BRIDGEWATER CANNON CITY Dakota County Dundas EMPIRE Farmington CASTLE ROCK WATERFORD Northfield Figure 3 Transmission Study Corridors CapX Brookings, SD to SE Twin Cities Line NORTHFIELD WHEELING SCIOTA Nerstrand

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40 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION In the Matter of the Xcel Energy and Great River Energy Certificate of Need Application for Three 345 kv Transmission Lines in Minnesota PUC Docket ET-2, E-002/CN-0-5 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) will hold public hearings in this matter at the dates, times and locations listed below. The purpose of these proceedings is to determine whether the proposed high voltage electric transmission lines are needed and in the public interest. Proposed Project Description Xcel Energy and Great River Energy, on behalf of transmission-owning utilities known as the CapX 2020 applicants (applicants), have jointly applied to the MPUC for a Certificate of Need for three 345 kilovolt (kv) and two kv electric transmission lines. The applicants projects, referred to cumulatively as the CapX 2020 transmission expansion initiative (CapX 2020) proposes transmission lines to connect substations in the following general locations: A 250-mile, 345 kv line between Fargo, North Dakota and Monticello, Minnesota. A 200-mile, 345 kv line between Brookings, South Dakota and Dakota County (Hampton), Minnesota; including a related 345 kv line between Marshall, Minnesota and Granite Falls, Minnesota. A 50-mile, 345 kv line from Dakota County (Hampton), Minnesota, to Rochester, Minnesota and continuing to La Crosse, Wisconsin: including two connecting kv lines near Rochester, Minnesota. The applicants state that the transmission lines are part of a long-term plan intended to strengthen the transmission network to meet demand for electrical power anticipated in Minnesota and surrounding states by 2020, in part to increase access to renewable energy sources. In addition, the project is intended to address service reliability concerns in several communities including Rochester, St. Cloud, the Alexandria area and the Red River Valley. Purpose and Conduct of Public Hearings Xcel Energy and Great River Energy, on behalf of the applicants, applied to the MPUC for a Certificate of Need on August, Before any high voltage transmission line project(s) can be constructed in Minnesota, the MPUC must determine that the project(s) is necessary and in the best interest of the state. The Certificate of Need process includes a limited environmental review, public hearings, and evidentiary hearings. The review process typically requires at least 2-months to complete. The public hearings are the only opportunity for the public to appear in person, in Minnesota, to: ) provide their input on the necessity of this project, 2) provide input on the no-build alternative, and 3) address alternatives (non-route related) for the MPUC to consider (see below for information on written comments). The criteria that the MPUC must address when rendering a final decision are found in Minnesota Statutes 2B.243, Subd.3 & 3a, and Minnesota Rules Moorhead, MN Tuesday, June 7, pm Horizon Middle School Cafetorium 30 2th Avenue South Fergus Falls, MN Wednesday, June 8, am MN State Community and Technical College Science Lecture Hall, Room S College Way Alexandria, MN Wednesday, June 8, pm Alexandria Technical College Auditorium 205, Main Building 0 Jefferson Street SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS Melrose, MN Thursday, June 9, am Melrose Area High School Auditorium, Door 3 54 North 5th Avenue East Clearwater, MN Thursday, June 9, 2008, 5 pm Friday, June 20, 2008, 9 am Clearwater Township Hall 505 State Highway 24 Marshall, MN Monday, June 23, 2008, 5 pm Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 0 am Marshall High School Auditorium 400 Tiger Drive Redwood Falls, MN Tuesday, June 24, pm Redwood Falls High School Auditorium 00 George Ramseth Drive Arlington, MN Wednesday, June 25, am Arlington Community Center, Room Shamrock Drive New Prague, MN Wednesday, June 25, pm New Prague High School Commons 22 2th Street N.E. Lakeville, MN Thursday, June 2, 2008 pm and 5 pm Lakeville South High School Auditorium 235 Jacquard Avenue Cannon Falls, MN Monday, June 30, 2008 pm and 7 pm Cannon Falls Elementary School 020 E. Minnesota Street Winona, MN Tuesday, July, 2008 pm and 7 pm Tau Conference Center Winona State University West Campus 5 Hilbert Street Rochester, MN Wednesday, July 2, 2008 pm and 7 pm John Adams Middle School Auditorium 525 st Street N.W.

41 Public Hearing An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) from the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings will hold public hearings for the MPUC to establish a complete and accurate record regarding the need for the proposed CapX 2020 electric transmission line projects. Any person who would like to comment on this matter can do so at any of the scheduled public hearings (above) or in writing to the ALJ (see address below). If you need any reasonable accommodation to enable you to fully participate in these public hearings (i.e. sign language or foreign language interpreter, wheel chair accessibility, or large-print materials) please contact the MPUC at (5) or (800) at least one week in advance of the hearing. Written Public Comment Period Deadline In order to be considered, written public comments should be filed with the Administrative Law Judge on or before 4:30 p.m. on August 22, Comments may be filed by U.S. mail (see address below), fax (5) -793, or to capx.oah@state.mn.us. Written comments are most effective when the following items are included:. The section of the CapX proposal you are addressing. 2. Your specific recommendation. 3. The reason for your recommendation. Administrative Law Judge Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger will preside at the hearing; written comments can be mailed to her at: Office of Administrative Hearings Attn: Beverly Jones Heydinger P.O. Box 420 St. Paul, MN, Upon completion of all hearings, the Judge will forward the record of the proceedings (including oral and written public comments), a summary report of the facts in the record, and a recommendation to the MPUC. Thereafter, the MPUC will schedule a final public hearing, likely in the winter of , to determine whether a Certificate of Need should be granted or denied. Evidentiary Hearing Time: Monday, July 4, 2008 at 0:00 am (CST) Location: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Large Hearing Room (3rd Floor) 2 7th Place East St. Paul, MN Following the public hearings as described above, Judge Heydinger will convene the evidentiary hearing, which will continue until all formal Parties to the case have completed presentations of evidence and examined witnesses pursuant to Minn. Rules Chapter 400. It is anticipated that the evidentiary hearing may continue at the MPUC for three to four weeks. The public is welcome to observe the hearing. Only testimony from formal Parties will be heard at the evidentiary hearing; no public testimony will be taken. Becoming a Party Any person who desires to intervene in this matter and be granted Party status must submit a written petition (request to intervene) to Judge Heydinger by July 3, Persons interested in becoming a Party should review Minn. Rules governing intervention. Petitions to intervene received after July 3, 2008 will be considered, but the scope of participation may be limited. Persons who are not Parties may, upon request, be granted the opportunity for limited participation, including the opportunity to testify, offer exhibits and question other parties witnesses, but will not be deemed a Party by reason of such participation. Persons who are not Parties are encouraged to provide their testimony and exhibits at the public hearings. Materials Available for Review All official public materials relating to this matter can be viewed on edockets the MPUC s electronic documents system. To access information in this matter by computer, go to the MPUC s webpage at click CapX 2020 under Quick Links, and follow the guidance for accessing edockets. The Application (received date 8//07) and the Environmental Report (received date 3//08) are key documents describing the proposed project. The Environmental Report describes the human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, alternatives to the project and methods to mitigate anticipated adverse impacts. Persons without internet access may contact the MPUC staff listed below to request documents of interest or assistance in identifying appropriate documents. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide such documents by mail. The Application, Environmental Report, applicable procedural rules, and the pre-filed testimony of all parties will be available for public review at the hearings. The applicable agency rule in this matter, Minn. Rule Chapter 7849, is available to review online at and will be available at the public hearings. Inquiries, Project Contact The Commission has designated Bret Eknes of the MPUC staff as its public advisor in this matter. He may be contacted by phone at (5) , by at bret.eknes@state.mn.us, or in writing to: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 2 7th Place E., Suite 350, Saint Paul, MN The public advisor has been appointed to assist and advise persons interested in taking part in the proceedings. However, the public advisor is not authorized to give legal advice. Public comments on this matter should be sent to the ALJ as described above. Forthcoming Route Permit Application and Routing Process Please note, that specific routes the proposed transmission lines may follow have not yet been proposed by the CapX 2020 utilities. The transmission line routes will be reviewed through a separate MPUC permitting process expected to begin in the fall of Additional public hearings on routing of the lines will be announced when the route applications have been filed with the MPUC. The public hearings that are the subject of this notice are not intended to address routing related issues. A route permit cannot be issued until the project is determined to be in the public s interest and needed by the PUC. Eminent Domain Authority If the PUC issues a Certificate of Need in this current matter, and also issues a route permit, Xcel Energy and Great River Energy may exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire the land necessary for the project pursuant to Minnesota Statute 2E.2 and Minnesota Statute 7.

42 June 2008 CapX2020UPDATE Stay Informed The best way to participate is to stay informed. Follow progress on the individual agency Web sites and on the CapX 2020 Web site at Minnesota PUC: To view CapX 2020 filings, go to the PUC s Web site at click on E-documents on the left-hand side, click on Search documents, and search for docket 0-5. In the search field, 0 stands for the year 200 (when the first CapX 2020 document was filed). Use 0 for the year and 5 in the second field, then press the search button. South Dakota Public Utilities Commission: Can be contacted at (05) or by visiting Brookings, SD SE Twin Cities 345-kV Project Timeline Presorted First-Class Mail U.S. Postage PAID Saint Paul, MN Permit No Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Dairyland Power Cooperative Great River Energy Minnesota Power Minnkota Power Cooperative Missouri River Energy Services Otter Tail Power Company Rochester Public Utilities Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Wisconsin Public Power Inc. Xcel Energy State public hearings on Certificate of Need Two major approvals must be obtained from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) before a high voltage transmission line can be built: a Certificate of Need (CON) and a Route Permit. The CapX 2020 utilities filed a CON application with the PUC for its three 345 kilovolt (kv) lines in August 2007, including the Brookings, SD SE Twin Cities line. As part of the CON process, the PUC is hosting 9 public hearings from June 7 to July 2 (see insert). The PUC public hearings, which will take place in 3 cities, will be presided over by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The purpose of the hearings is to determine whether the proposed transmission lines are needed and in the public interest. Several parties involved in the proceedings have asked the CapX 2020 utilities to look at increasing the capacity and size of the Brookings, SD SE Twin Cities line (higher voltage or double circuit). The question of line size will be determined in the CON hearing process. Anyone can present testimony and express opinions concerning the utility proposal or alternatives on the Certificate of Need. The CapX 2020 utilities urge all interested citizens to attend a hearing in their area. Contact information for the three 345-kV projects: Brookings, SD SE Twin Cities (888) brookingsinfo@capx2020.com Fargo Alexandria St. Cloud Monticello (8) fargoinfo@capx2020.com SE Twin Cities Rochester La Crosse (800) lacrosseinfo@capx2020.com

43 June 2008 CapX2020UPDATE What Happens Next? When the CapX 2020 utilities filed their Minnesota Certificate of Need application they included broad notice corridors that extended between the general areas proposed for the beginning and end-points of each proposed line. Over the past 0 months the three project teams have met with landowners, local and state officials, community leaders, agencies, and environmental and other interested parties to collect input for the development of route options that will be included in a Minnesota Route Permit. The Brookings SE Twin Cities project team is moving toward filing a Route Permit in late Similar review, permit and approval processes are required by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The state regulatory agencies will make the final determination on the routes. Brookings, SD to Franklin Substation Area Proposed Route Options Factoid States with the largest percentage of wind generation in 2007 Wind generation (as percentage of all electricity generation) Iowa 5.5% Minnesota 4.% New Mexico 3.9% Oregon 3.5% South Dakota 2.% Franklin Substation Area to SE Twin Cities Proposed Route Options