MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING MEETING
In the Matter of the Application of Xcel Energy for a Site Permit and Two Route Permits for the up to 460 Megawatt Sherco Solar Energy Generating System and Associated 345 Kilovolt Transmission Lines in Sherburne County, Minnesota
PUC Docket Numbers: E-002/GS-21-191 (Site Permit), E-002/TL-21-190 (Route Permit for East 345 kV Transmission Line), E-002/TL-21-189 (Route Permit for West 345 kV Transmission Line)
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) and Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department) will hold public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings on the application of Xcel Energy for a site permit and two route permits for the construction of an up to 460-megawatt solar energy generating system and two 345-kilovolt transmission lines. The purpose of the public meetings is to inform the public about the proposed project, the state’s permitting process, and to obtain public input on the project.
Project Description
As proposed, the solar project area would consist of an East Block and a West Block located on approximately 3,479 acres of land adjacent to the Xcel Energy Sherburne County (“Sherco”) Generating Plant in Sherburne County, Minnesota. The solar facility would connect to the electrical grid at the existing Sherburne County Substation by a new 1.7-mile single circuit 345 kilovolt transmission line for the East Block and a new 3.2-mile single circuit 345 kilovolt transmission line for the West Block. The primary components of the solar facility would include bifacial photovoltaic panels affixed to a linear ground-mounted single-axis tracking system, solar inverters, an electrical collection system (aboveground/belowground hybrid or all belowground), access roads, security fencing, two electric collector step-up substations, an operation and maintenance facility, 11 stormwater drainage basins, and 12 weather stations.
In-Person Meeting
Date: August 31, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Becker High School – Entrance Door #1 – Teaching and Learning Center Room
12000 Hancock Street, Becker, Minnesota 55308
Link to Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/mtmFL27gmhZ5ZhPd8
- Public meetings start on time. For in-person meetings, arrive a few minutes early so you have time to pick up materials and find a seat.
- Citizens will have the opportunity to offer oral and written comments into the record. Staff from the Commission, the Department, and Xcel Energy will be available to answer questions about the project and the review process.
- The same information will be presented at each meeting.
- Each meeting will last until everyone at the meeting has had an opportunity to speak.
- Comments received at the meeting and during the comment period will be used to develop the scope of the environmental assessment for this project.
To find out if a meeting is canceled due to bad weather or other call 1-855-731-6208 or 651-201-2213 or visit mn.gov/puc.
Remote-Access Meeting
Date: September 1, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Telephone: 1-866-609-6127 Internet (Video Only – No Audio): minnesota.webex.com
Conference ID: 8453387 Event Number: 1463280765 Password: ytUb5QmMK22
- To listen to the remote-access meeting and provide verbal comments, follow the directions above to access the meeting over the telephone. You must join the meeting by telephone if you are interested in listening to the meeting or providing verbal comments.
- To view the speaker presentations during the remote-access meeting, follow the directions above to access the meeting over the internet. You must join the meeting over the internet if you are interested in viewing the speaker presentations.
- If you wish to listen to the meeting while watching the presentations, you must join the hearing by both telephone and internet.
- Additional information and instructions are available at: https://mn.gov/puc/newsroom/webex/
Written Comment Period
Written comments will be accepted through September 15, 2021, by 4:30 p.m. Please include the docket numbers in all communications. Comments received after the close of the comment period may or may not be considered by the Commission.
Please focus your comments on information that will help answer the following questions:
- What potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project should be considered in the environmental assessment?
- Are there any methods to minimize, mitigate, or avoid potential impacts of the proposed project?
- Are there any unique characteristics of the proposed project site that should be considered?
Comments may be submitted via:
Online: http://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/#comment
Email: bill.storm@state.mn.us
U.S. Mail: Bill Storm
Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101
Fax: 651-539-0109
Important. Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission’s website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The Commission does not edit or delete personal identifying information from submissions.
Review Process
The Commission must approve a site permit and two route permits before the project can be constructed. The permit application will be reviewed using the alternative review process (Minn. R. 7850.2800 to 7850.3900). The relevant Minnesota statute and rules may be viewed at: https://www.revisor.mn.gov.
Environmental Review. The Department is tasked with preparing an environmental assessment (EA) for the site and route permit application on behalf of the Commission. The EA will evaluate the human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, identify measures that could reasonably be implemented to avoid or minimize impacts identified.
Public Hearing. After the EA is complete, a public hearing will be held near the project area. The hearing will be presided over by an administrative law judge from the Office of Administrative Hearings. Members of the public will have an opportunity to speak, provide written comments, and ask questions of the applicant and staff. Upon completion of the public hearing process, the Commission will make a final decision on whether to issue permits for the project.
Additional Information
Filing Requirements. Utilities, telecommunications carriers, official parties, and state agencies are required to file documents using the Commission’s electronic filing system (eFiling). All parties, participants, and interested persons are encouraged to use eFiling: mn.gov/puc, select eDockets and follow the prompts.
ull Case Record. See all documents filed in this matter via the Commission’s website at mn.gov/puc, select eDockets, enter the year (21) and the docket number (191, 190, or 189), and select Search.
Subscribe to the Docket. To receive email notification when new documents are filed in this matter visit: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling, select Subscribe to Dockets and follow the prompts.
Project Mailing List. Sign up to receive notices about project milestones and opportunities to participate or change your mailing preference. Email docketing.puc@state.mn.us or call Leesa Norton at 651-201-2246 with the docket number (21-191, 21-190, or 21-189), your name, mailing address, and email address.
Department of Commerce Website: https://apps.commerce.state.mn.us/eera/web/project/14335
Site Permit Application. Print copies of the site and route permit application are available for viewing at the Great River Regional Library – Becker, 11500 Sherburne Avenue, Becker, MN 55308
Project Contacts
Public Utilities Commission
Scott Ek, Energy Facilities Planner, scott.ek@state.mn.us or 651-201-2255
Mike Kaluzniak, Public Advisor, publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us or 651-201-2257
Department of Commerce
Bill Storm, Environmental Review Manager, bill.storm@state.mn.us or 651-539-1844
Sherco Solar
William Risse, National Grid Renewables, wrisse@nationalgridrenewables.com or 952-300-9476
If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in this meeting, please contact the Commission at 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance of the hearings. To request this document in another format such as large print or audio, call 651-296-0406 (voice). Persons with a hearing or speech impairment may call using their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service or email consumer.puc@state.mn.us for assistance.
(Published in the Patriot: 08/14/21).
