Brookings County-Hampton 345 kV project

	Project quick facts 345 kV line – about 240 miles Targeted in-service – 2013-2015 Minnesota route maps South Dakota route option map Fact sheet Communications and public outreach

The Brookings County-Hampton transmission line will improve reliability throughout southwest and west central Minnesota and the Twin Cities as well as enable access to new generation, including renewable energy resources in the area. The new line will be constructed from a new substation in Brookings County, South Dakota, to a new substation in Hampton, Minnesota.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MN PUC) approved the Route Permit application for the majority of the Brookings County-Hampton transmission line on July 15, 2010. The approved route follows the modified preferred route as identified in the original application and subsequent testimony, as modified by an approximate two-mile route segment in Dakota County (segment P6-06 was proposed in the Environmental Impact Statement scoping process).

The MN PUC has not yet approved the segment between the Cedar Mountain substation in Renville County and the Helena substation in Scott County, as it referred the Minnesota River crossing location back to the administrative law judge (ALJ). The ALJ will consider a June 2010 letter from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service regarding impacts to eagles at the river. To further develop the record regarding the crossing, the MN PUC will host public meetings October 4-6 in Belle Plaine, Arlington and Le Sueur. Exact times and locations are still being finalized.

The segment between the Lyon County and Helena substations will be constructed as a double circuit transmission line. The other segments will be constructed with double circuit capable structures; only a single circuit will be energized after initial construction.

Single pole steel structures will be used to reduce land impacts. Structures are between 140 and 170 feet tall and will be between 800 and 1,000 feet apart. Typically, a 150-foot right-of-way will be required.

Minnesota permitting

The MN PUC must grant two approvals before construction – a Certificate of Need and a Route Permit. An environmental report was prepared by the Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security during the need process, and an Environmental Impact Statement was written during routing.

• Certificate of Need application – filed August 16, 2007; granted May 22, 2009
• Route Permit application – filed December 29, 2008
• Route Permit application – filed December 29, 2008
  • Judge’s recommendation – issued April 22, 2010
  • MN PUC approval – issued July 15, 2010
• EIS scoping decision – issued June 30, 2009
• Draft EIS – issued October 20, 2009
• Final EIS – issued January 26, 2010
• Route maps
  

South Dakota permitting

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission must issue a Facility Permit before transmission line construction.

• Late 2010 (anticipated) – filing of Facility Permit application
• Route option map