STATE OF MINNESOTA Minnesota Department of Commerce NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Transcription

1 DOC PXHiMT No. L MINNESOTA DlPAITMENT W COMMERCE STATE OF MINNESOTA Minnesota Department of Commerce NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT In the Matter ofthe Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power Cooperative Applications for a Route Permit and a Certificate of Need for the Chisago County to Apple River 115/161 kv HVTL Project Issued August 20, 2007 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Environmental Assessment (EA) has been completed for the Chisago Transmission project and is available to the public. The EA addresses potential human and environmental impacts ofthe proposed high voltage transmission line (HVTL) project and alternatives..copies of the EA and other relevant documents are accessible at: A copy ofthe EA is enclosed with this notice. Project Description Xcel Energy proposes to upgrade the existing 69 kv transmission line from the Chisago County Substation to the St. Croix River in Taylors Falls, Minnesota to higher voltages. The project would rebuild the 69 kv to 115 kv beginning west of Lindstrom to a new Lawrence Creek Substation west of Taylors Falls. The line would be rebuilt to 161 kv from that point to where it crosses the St. Croix River into Wisconsin. The line would be undergrounded down the embankment to the river. The transmission line upgrades are primarily along existing rights-of-way; however, a small section of new alignment would be required for the project to interconnect the new substation to the existing transmission system. A minor addition to the footprint of the Lindstrom Substation and minor modifications to the existing Chisago County, Lindstrom and Shafer substations would also be required to accommodate the new transmission lines. PUC Review Process Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power Cooperative have submitted an Application for a Certificate of Need and an Application for a Route Permit to the Public Utilities Commission. DOC has been assigned to hold public meetings and prepare an environmental assessment (EA) of the proposed transmission lines under the alternative review process found in Minnesota Rules Chapter 4400.

2 DOC has prepared the EA, analyzing the environmental impacts and alternatives to the proposed transmission project and proposed route. The EA considers issues related both to the need for the project and issues related to routing. A Public Hearing presided over by Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman from the Office of Administrative Hearings will be held in Lindstrom, MN beginning September 4, Project Contacts and Information For more information about the process, the project or to place your name on the project mailing list, contact the DOC project manager, David Birkholz (Tel: or david.birkliolz@),state.mn.usl or Deborah Pile (Tel: or deborah.pile@state.mn.us') Department of Commerce, 85 7 th Place East, Suite 500, Saint Paul, Minnesota Other contact information: Toll-Free Tel: , Fax: or TTY: Minnesota Relay Service, , and ask for the DOC. enc: Environmental Assessment

3 STATE OF MINNESOTA) ) ss COUNTY OF RAMSEY ) AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE I, Jan Mottaz, on the 20th day of August 2007 served the attached Minnesota Department of Commerce's NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DOCKET NUMBER: E002/ET3/TL , E002/ET3/CN XX XX by depositing in the United States Mail at the City of St. Paul, a true and correct copy thereof, properly enveloped with postage prepaid by personal service (MN PUC) by delivery service - by express mail. "fax to all persons at the address indicated below and/or on the the attached service list: /S/Jan Mottaz

4 Charles Anderson 730 Jefferson Street Red Wing, MN Jamie Anderson nd Street PO Box 53 Nordell Anderson th Brad Bakke N. Meadow Curve Lisa Biemert Furuby Road Mike Birchite 352 Brian Lane Taylor Falls, MN David Birkholz Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East, Ste. 500 Saint Paul, MN James Brown Pheasant Velley Road Center City, MN Vicki Canfield rd Street Keith Carlson PO Box 43 Cal Dufault 3409 Glynwater Trl NW Prior Lake, MN Susan Folsom Shady Avenue Shafer, MN Ryan Fuhr Shorview Circle Larry Gauthier 318 Pleasant Knoll Darrell Gerber Clean Water Action Alliance 308 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN Gary Gerke th Street Sharon Helgestad PO Box 36 Thomas Hillstrom 414 Nicollet Mall, 7th Floor Minneapolis, Mi Patrick C. Hollister 313 North Main Street George Johnson SEH, Inc Vadnais Center Drive Saint Paul, MN Scott Johnson 414 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN Shellena Johnson PO Box 146 Taylor Falls, MN Jeremy Kalin MN House 100 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Drive #579 St Paul, MN Carlyle Klink Shafer Township St. Croix Trail Shafer, MN Mike Klun Chisago Lakes Schools North Meadow Curve Don Kurth Olinda Trail #124 Chad Lindgren th St Shafer, MN Don Lynch North Meadow Curve Bill Mack Wyoming Avenue Chisago City, MN Denise Martin Chisago County Press PO Box 748 Chisago, MN 55045

5 Joe Mattson Shafer Township Unity Avenue Tr s Falls, MN Jolie McShane AIR2, LLC 2345 York Road Suite 102 Timonium, MD Heide Miller Chisago Lakes Schools Lake Blvd. Kelly Morin North Meadow Curve Carmelita Nelson Andrews Avenue Delores & Krisa Nelson 4205 Pilot Knob Eagan, MN Pete Nelson rd Avenue North Box 217 Bill Neuman Osceola Road Schafer, MN John Olinger North Meadow Curve Carol Overland OVERLAND LAW OFFICE P.O. Box 176 Red Wing, MN Stacy Pearson th Street John Pechman Chisago City Railroad Ave. P.O. L Chisago City, MN Deborah Pile Minnesota Department of Commerce. Energy Facility Permitting. 85 7th Place East, Ste. 500 Saint Paul, MN TJ Rolfing Holmes Murphy 600 S. Cliff Ave Sioux Falls, SD Pam Rasmussen PO Box 8 Eau Claire, WI Mam-Marie Sallah Ener Information Administration C/O Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave, SW EI-53 Washington DC, Angelo Rew Lakeside Trail Jim Singer City of Lindstrom Neal Avenue Sue Skow Chisago City Council 9865 Deer Garden Lane Chisago City, MN Jamie Smith POBox 155 Marie Stroha Lake Avenue Gordon Swenson Redwing Avenue Shafer, MN Mark Swirtz POBox 155 Todd Tadych American Transmission Company, LLC 2 Fen Oak Court Madison, WI Scott Thompson Irish Avenue Forest Lake, MN Scott Vergin Energy Product Sales 351 Commerce Court Vadnais Heights, MN Lloyd Vetter Oasis Road Be )ss Eas,. ^entral RDC 100 Park St. So. Mora, MN John Wertish 1700 East County RoadE White Bear Lake, MN John & Deborah Whitacre Elm Street

6 Joe Wishy Mark Wolcott Neal Avenue Box 314 p.o Box 354 Lindstmm, MN Maple Street Lindstrom, Mn 55045

7 MINNESOTA DlPARTUtNT Or COMMERCE STATE OF MINNESOTA Minnesota Department of Commerce NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT In the Matter ofthe Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power Cooperative Applications for a Route Permit and a Certificate of Need for the Chisago County to Apple River 115/161 kv HVTL Project Issued August 20, 2007 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Environmental Assessment (EA) has been completed for the Chisago Transmission project and is available to the public. The EA addresses potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed high voltage transmission line (HVTL) project and alternatives. Copies of the EA and other relevant documents are accessible at: Paper copies must be requested from the Minnesota Department of Commerce (DOC) staff listed at the end of this notice. Project Description Xcel Energy proposes to upgrade the existing 69 kv transmission line from the Chisago County Substation to the St. Croix River in Taylors Falls, Minnesota to higher voltages. The project would rebuild the 69 kv to 115 kv beginning west of Lindstrom to a new Lawrence Creek Substation west of Taylors Falls. The line would be rebuilt to 161 kv from that point to where it crosses the St. Croix River into Wisconsin. The line would be undergrounded down the embankment to the river. The transmission line upgrades are primarily along existing rights-of-way; however, a small section of new alignment would be required for the project to interconnect the new substation to the existing transmission system. A minor addition to the footprint of the Lindstrom Substation and minor modifications to the existing Chisago County, Lindstrom and Shafer substations would also be required to accommodate the new transmission lines. PUC Review Process Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power Cooperative have submitted an Application for a Certificate of Need and an Application for a Route Permit to the Public Utilities Commission. DOC has been assigned to hold public meetings and prepare an environmental assessment (EA) of the proposed transmission lines under the alternative review process found in Minnesota Rules Chapter 4400.

8 DOC has prepared the EA, analyzing the environmental impacts and alternatives to the proposed transmission project and proposed route. The EA considers issues related both to the need for the project and issues related to routing. A Public Hearing presided over by Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman from the Office of Administrative Hearings will be held in Lindstrom, MN beginning September 4, Notice of the hearing will be published in local newspapers and mailed to persons receiving this notice by U.S. Mail. Project Contacts and Information For more information about the process, the project or to place your name on the project mailing list, contact the DOC project manager, David Birkholz (Tel: or david.birkholz@state.mn.us) or Deborah Pile (Tel: or deborah.pile@state.nin.us) Department of Commerce, 85 7 th Place East, Suite 500, Saint Paul, Minnesota Other contact information: Toll-Free Tel: , Fax: or TTY: Minnesota Relay Service, , and ask for the DOC.

9 STATE OF MINNESOTA) ) ss COUNTY OF RAMSEY ) AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE I, Jan Mottaz, on the 20th day of August 2007 served the attached Minnesota Department of Commerce's NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DOCKET NUMBER: E002/ET3/TL , E002/ET3/CN XX XX by depositing in the United States Mail at the City of St. Paul, a true and correct copy thereof, properly enveloped with postage prepaid by personal service (MN PUC) by delivery service by express mail fax to all persons at the address indicated below and/or on the the attached service list: /S/Jan Mottaz

10 SaGonna Thompson Xcel Energy 414 Nicollet Mall, 5 lh Fl Minneapolis, MN Burl W Haar (15 copies) MN Public Utilities Commission 350 Metro Square Bldg 121 7th Place E St Paul MN Sharon Ferguson (4) MN Dept of Commerce 85 7 th Place E Ste 500 St Paul MN Carol A. Overland Overland Law Office PO Box 176 Red Wing, MN John Olinger City of Lindstrom Sylvan Ave Julia Anderson Valerie Means Attorney General's Office 1400 Bremer Tower 445 Minnesota St St Paul MN Curtis Nelson Attorney General's Office-RUD 900 Bremer Tower 445 Minnesota St St Paul MN James P. Johnson. Xcel Energy 414 Nicollet Mall, 5 th Fl Minneapolis, MN Bill Neuman Shellene Johnson c/o Bill Neuman Osceola Rd Shafer, MN Janet Shaddix Shaddix & Associates 9100 W Bloomington Freeway, Ste 122 Bloomington, MN Judge Eric L. Lipman Office of Administrative Hearings 100 Washington Sq, Ste 1700 Minneapolis, MN Michael Krikava Catherine Biestek Briggs & Morgan 2200 IDS Center 80 S 8 th St Minneapolis, MN Jeffrey L. Landsman Niles Berman/Joshua Gildea Wheeler Van Sickle & Anderson 25 W Main St, Ste 801 Madison, WI Chuck Thompson Dairyland Power Cooperative PO Box East Ave S LaCrosse, WI

11 DOC EXHIBIT No. STATE OF MINNESOTA if L^w& Minnesota Department of Commerce 11 MINNESOTA % DlFArrWEKT OP ^ COMMERCE NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT In the Matter of the Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power Cooperative Applications for a Route Permit and a Certificate of Need for the Chisago County to Apple River 115/161 kv HVTL Project Issued August 20, 2007 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Environmental Assessment (EA) has been completed for the Chisago Transmission project and is available to the public. The EA addresses potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed high voltage transmission line (HVTL) project and alternatives..copies of the EA and other relevant documents are accessible at: http ://energvfacilities.puc.state.mn.us/docket.html?id=l 8938 A copy of the EA is enclosed with this notice. Project Description Xcel Energy proposes to upgrade the existing 69 kv transmission line from the Chisago County Substation to the St. Croix River in Taylors Falls, Minnesota to higher voltages. The project would rebuild the 69 kv to 115 kv beginning west of Lindstrom to a new Lawrence Creek Substation west of Taylors Falls. The line would be rebuilt to 161 kv from that point to where it crosses the St. Croix River into Wisconsin. The line would be undergrounded down the embankment to the river. The transmission line upgrades are primarily along existingrights-of-way;however, a small section of new alignment would be required for the project to interconnect the new substation to the existing transmission system. A minor addition to the footprint of the Lindstrom Substation and minor modifications to the. existing Chisago County, Lindstrom and Shafer substations would also be required to accommodate the new transmission lines. PUC Review Process Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power Cooperative have submitted an Application for a Certificate of Need and an Application for a Route Permit to the Public Utilities Commission. DOC has been assigned to hold public meetings and prepare an environmental assessment (EA) of the proposed transmission lines under the alternative review process found in Minnesota Rules Chapter EXHIBIT DOC 3$

12 DOC has prepared the EA, analyzing the environmental impacts and alternatives to the proposed transmission project and proposed route. The EA considers issues related both to the need for the project and issues related to routing.. A Public Hearing presided over by Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman from the Office of Administrative Hearings will be held in Lindstrom, MN beginning September 4, Project Contacts and Information For more information about the process, the project or to place your name on the project mailing list, contact the DOC project manager, David Birkholz (Tel: or david.birkholz@,state.mn.us) or Deborah Pile (Tel: or deborah.pile@,state.mn.us) Department of Commerce, 85 7 th Place East, Suite 500, Saint Paul, Minnesota Other contact information: Toil-Free Tel: , Fax: or TTY: Minnesota Relay Service, , and ask for the DOC. enc: Environmental Assessment

13 STATE OF MINNESOTA) ) ss COUNTY OF RAMSEY ). AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE I, Jan Mottaz, on the 20th day of August 2007 served the attached Minnesota Department of Commerce's NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DOCKET NUMBER: E002/ET3/TL , E002/ET3/CN XX XX by depositing in the United States Mail at the City of St Paul, a true and correct copy thereof, properly enveloped with postage prepaid by personal service (MN PUC) by delivery service by express mail fax to all persons at the address indicated below and/or on the the attached service list: /S/Jan Mottaz

14 Charles Anderson 730 Jefferson Street Red Wing, MN Jamie Anderson nd Street PO Box 53 Nordell Anderson th Brad Bakke N. Meadow Curve Lisa Biemert Furuby Road Mike Birchite 352 Brian Lane Taylor Falls, MN David Birkholz Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East, Ste. 500 Saint Paul, MN James Brown Pheasant Velley Road Center City, MN Vicki Canfield rd Street Keith Carlson PO Box 43 Cal Dufault 3409 Glynwater Trl NW Prior Lake, MN Susan Folsom Shady Avenue Shafer, MN Ryan Fuhr Shorview Circle Larry Gauthier 318 Pleasant Knoll Darrell Gerber Clean Water Action Alliance 308 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN Gary Gerke th Street Sharon Helgestad PO Box 36 Thomas Hillstrom 414 Nicollet Mall, 7th Floor Minneapolis, Mi Patrick C. Hollister 313 North Main Street George Johnson SEH, Inc Vadnais Center Drive Saint Paul, MN Scott Johnson 414 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN Shellena Johnson PO Box 146 Taylor Falls, MN Jeremy Kalin MN House 100 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Drive #579 St Paul, MN Carlyle Klink Shafer Township" St. Croix Trail Shafer, MN Mike Klun Chisago Lakes Schools North Meadow Curve Don Kurth Olinda Trail #124 Chad Lindgren th St Shafer, MN Don Lynch North Meadow Curve Bill Mack Wyoming Avenue Chisago City, MN Denise Martin Chisago County Press PO Box 748 Chisago, MN 55045

15 Joe Mattson Shafer Township Unity Avenue us Falls, MN Jolie McShane AIR2, LLC 2345 York Road Suite 102 Timonium, MD Heide Miller Chisago Lakes Schools Lake Blvd. Kelly Morin North Meadow Curve Carmelita Nelson Andrews Avenue Delores & Krisa Nelson 4205 Pilot Knob Eagan, MN Pete Nelson rd Avenue North Box 217 Bill Neuman Osceola Road Schafer, MN John Olinger North Meadow Curve Carol Overland OVERLAND LAW OFFICE P.O.Box 176 Red Wing, MN Deborah Pile Minnesota Department of Commerce. Energy Facility Permitting. 85 7th Place East, Ste. 500 Saint Paul, MN Stacy Pearson th Street Pam Rasmussen PO Box 8 Eau Claire, WI John Pechman Chisago City Railroad Ave. P.O. L Chisago City, MN Angelo Rew Lakeside Trail TJ Rolfing Holmes Murphy. 600 S. Cliff Ave Sioux Falls, SD Mam-Marie Sallah Ener Information Administration C/O Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave, SW EI-53 Washington DC, Jim Singer City of Lindstrom Neal Avenue Sue Skow Chisago City Council 9865 Deer Garden Lane Chisago City, MN Jamie Smith POBox 155 Marie Stroha Lake Avenue Gordon Swenson Redwing Avenue Shafer, MN Mark Swirtz PO Box 155 Todd Tadych American Transmission Company, LLC 2 Fen Oak Court Madison, WI Scott Thompson Irish Avenue Forest Lake, MN Scott Vergin Energy Product Sales 351 Commerce Court Vadnais Heights, MN Lloyd Vetter Oasis Road /oss L^L Central RDC 100 Park St. So. Mora, MN John Wertish 1700 East County RoadE White Bear Lake, MN John & Deborah Whitacre Elm Street

16 Joe Wishy Mark Wolcott Neal Avenue Box 314 p- 0 - B o x Maple Street Lindstrom, Mn 55045

17 MINNESOTA DsFArrMEtrr or COMMERCE STATE OF MINNESOTA Minnesota Department of Commerce NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT In the Matter ofthe Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power Cooperative Applications for a Route Permit and a Certificate of Need for the Chisago County to Apple River 115/161 kv HVTL Project Issued August 20, 2007 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Environmental Assessment (EA) has been completed for the Chisago Transmission project and is available to the public. The EA addresses potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed high voltage transmission line (HVTL) project and alternatives. Copies of the EA and other relevant documents are accessible at: Jitml?Id==l Paper copies must be requested from the Minnesota Department of Commerce (DOC) staff listed at the end of this notice. Project Description Xcel Energy proposes to upgrade the existing 69 kv transmission line from the Chisago County Substation to the St. Croix River in Taylors Fallsi Minnesota to higher voltages. The project would rebuild tlie 69 kv to 115 kv beginning west of Lindstrom to a new Lawrence Creek Substation west of Taylors Falls. The line would be rebuilt to 161 kv from that point to where it crosses the St. Croix River into Wisconsin. The line would be undergrounded down the embankment to the river. The transmission line upgrades are primarily along existing rights-of-way; however, a small section of new alignment would be required for the project to interconnect the new substation to the existing transmission system. A minor addition to the footprint of the Lindstrom Substation and minor modifications to the existing Chisago County, Lindstrom and Shafer substations would also be required to accommodate the new transmission lines. PUC Review Process Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power Cooperative have submitted an Application for a Certificate of Need and an Application for a Route Permit to the Public Utilities Commission. DOC has been assigned to hold public meetings and prepare an environmental assessment (EA) of the proposed transmission lines under the alternative review process found in Minnesota Rules Chapter 4400.

18 DOC has prepared the EA, analyzing the environmental impacts and alternatives to the proposed transmission project and proposed route. The EA considers issues related both tb the need for the project and issues related to routing. A Public Hearing presided over by Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman from the Office of Administrative Hearings will be held in Lindstrom, MN beginning September 4, Notice of the hearing will be published in local newspapers and mailed to persons receiving this notice by U.S. Mail. Project Contacts and Information For more information about the process, the project or to place your name on the project mailing list, contact the DOC project manager, David Birkholz (Tel: or david.birkholz(@state.mn.us') or Deborah Pile (Tel: or deborah.pilefgistate.mn.usl Department of Commerce, 85 7 th Place East, Suite 500, Saint Paul, Minnesota Other contact information: Toil-Free Tel: , Fax: or TTY: Minnesota Relay Service, , and ask for the DOC.

19 STATE OF MINNESOTA ) ) ss COUNTY OF RAMSEY ) AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE I, Jari Mottaz, on the 20th day of August 2007 served the attached Minnesota Department of Commerce's NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DOCKET NUMBER: E002/ET3/TL , E002/ET3/CN XX XX by depositing in the United States Mail at the City of St. Paul, a true and correct copy thereof, properly enveloped with postage prepaid by personal service (MNPUC) by delivery service by express mail fax to all persons at the address indicated below and/or on the the attached service list: /S/Jan Mottaz

20 SaGonna Thompson Xcel Energy 414 Nicollet Mall, 5 th Fl Minneapolis, MN Burl W Haar (15 copies) MN Public Utilities Commission 350 Metro Square Bldg 121 7th Place E St Paul MN Sharon Ferguson (4) MN Dept of Commerce 85 7 th Place E Ste 500 St Paul MN Carol A. Overland Overland Law Office PO Box 176 Red Wing, MN John Olinger City of Lindstrom Sylvan Ave Julia Anderson Valerie Means Attorney General's Office 1400 Bremer Tower 445 Minnesota St St Paul MN Curtis Nelson Attorney General's Office-RUD 900 Bremer Tower 445 Minnesota St St Paul MN Bill Neuman Shellene Johnson c/o Bill Neuman Osceola Rd Shafer, MN Janet Shaddix Shaddix & Associates 9100 W Bloomington Freeway, Ste 122 Bloomington, MN James P. Johnson. Xcel Energy 414 Nicollet Mall, 5 th Fl Minneapolis, MN Judge Eric L. Lipman Office of Administrative Hearings 100 Washington Sq, Ste 1700 Minneapolis, MN Michael Krikava Catherine Biestek Briggs & Morgan 2200 IDS Center 80 S 8 th St Minneapolis, MN Jeffrey L. Landsman Niles Berman/Joshua Gildea Wheeler Van Sickle & Anderson 25 W Main St, Ste 801 Madison, WI Chuck Thompson Dairyland Power Cooperative PO Box East Ave S LaCrosse, WI