MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND
AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
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)
OAH Docket Number: 21-2500-37959
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold an in-person public hearing and a remote-access public hearing 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.
As proposed by Xcel Energy, 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 Generating Plant in Sherburne County, Minnesota. 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. 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.
There will be two public hearings in this matter: an In-Person Hearing and a Remote-Access Hearing. The information presented will be the same at both hearings.
In-Person Hearing
Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Becker High School – Performing Arts Center – Entrance Door #3
12000 Hancock Street, Becker, Minnesota 55308
Link to Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/mtmFL27gmhZ5ZhPd8
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 Hearing
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m.
WebEx Link: https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/j.php?MTID=m756de19db4f51101501700426f2477f8
WebEx Number: 2492 291 0088
WebEx Password: dTawc4Np3V4 (38292467 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Toll Free Access Code: 249 229 10088
If you are joining the hearing by WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the hearing, use the chat function to send a message to the meeting moderator. If you are joining the hearing by phone, press *3 on your phone. Your line will be unmuted, and you will be able to ask your question or make a comment.
Additional information and instructions are available at: https://mn.gov/puc/activities/meetings/webex/
Public Hearing and Process Information
The Honorable Kimberly Middendorf, Administrative Law Judge with the Office of Administrative Hearings, will preside over the public hearings and will provide the Commission with findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a recommendation.
The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public input on the proposed project. Interested persons will have the opportunity to: (1) ask questions of the applicant and agency staff; (2) offer oral and written comments on the merits of the proposed project; and (3) suggest possible conditions to be considered for inclusion in the site and route permits. Members of the public may participate without the necessity of intervening as a party. Representation by legal counsel is permitted but not required.
The hearings will end when all attendees have had the opportunity to comment, and all other business has been concluded, or 11:00 p.m., whichever occurs first. Written comments may be submitted during the comment period following the hearing using the methods described in this notice.
Minnesota Statutes and Rules. This project is being reviewed under Minnesota Statutes chapter 216E and Minnesota Rules chapter 7850. The rules and statutes are available for review at: www.revisor.mn.gov.
Written Comment Period
Written comments will be accepted through May 5, 2022, by 4:30 p.m. Please include the docket number (21-191, 21-190, or 21-189) 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:
* Should the Commission grant a site permit and two route permits for the proposed solar facility?
* If granted, what additional conditions or requirements should be included in the respective permits?
Comments may be submitted:
Online: https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/public-comments/
eDockets: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling
Email: publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us
U.S. Mail: Public Advisor – Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place East, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55101
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.
Environmental Assessment
The Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department) has prepared and issued an environmental assessment (EA) for the project. The EA analyzes the potential impacts of the project and possible mitigation measures. In addition, the EA analyzes the potential impacts of any alternatives contained in the Scoping Decision. The EA is available on the Department’s website and on eDockets (see Additional Information, below). Print copies of the EA are available from the Department upon request; please contact Bill Storm at the Department (bill.storm@state.mn.us or 651-539-1844).
Additional Information
Information on the application review process and documents related to the proposed project including materials from the public hearings, the site permit application, and the environmental assessment are available on the Department of Commerce website at: https://apps.commerce.state.mn.us/eera/web/project/14335 or 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.
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
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.
Full 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.
Questions about these dockets or Commission process and procedure? Contact Commission staff, Scott Ek at scott.ek@state.mn.us or 651-201-2255 or Charley Bruce, Public Advisor, at publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us or 651-201-2251.
If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in this hearing, 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: 04/09/22).
