NOTICE OF FILING APPLICATION FOR SITE PERMIT AND TWO ROUTE PERMITS FOR THE SHERCO SOLAR PROJECT WITH THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Please take notice that Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy (“Xcel Energy”), filed its requisite application for an up to 460-megawatt (“MW”) solar project (“Solar Project”) and two 345 kilovolt (“kV”) transmission lines to interconnect the Solar Project to the grid (collectively the “Project”) with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) on April 20, 2021 (the “Application”). As proposed, the West high voltage transmission line (“HVTL”) is approximately 3.2 miles long (“West HVTL Project”) and the East HVTL line is approximately 1.7 miles long (“East HVTL Project”); both HVTL lines connect the Solar Project to the existing Sherburne County Substation immediately south of the Xcel Energy Sherburne County Generating Facility (“Sherco Generating Plant”). 

Collectively, the Solar Project, West HVTL Project, and East HVTL Project represent Minnesota’s largest solar/transmission project to date.  The Sherco Solar Project will produce enough energy to provide electricity for approximately 100,000 homes annually and avoid the emission of approximately 250,000-300,000 metric tons of carbon annually, which is equivalent to approximately 60,000 cars removed from the road.  Xcel Energy plans to construct the Sherco Solar Project on a schedule that facilitates an in-service date for the entire project by the end of 2024.  This letter also provides information on the Sherco Solar Project and the site and route permit application processes, as well as information regarding how to register your name with the Commission on the Project Contact lists to ensure that you receive future notices.

PROJECT LOCATION

Xcel Energy is currently developing an up-to-460 MW Solar Project adjacent to the Sherco Generating Plant in Sherburne County, Minnesota. The Solar Project is proposed in two distinct blocks, which collectively create the Solar Project Area. The Solar Project Area covers 3,479.4 acres and is comprised of the West Block (1,653.7 acres), which is located on the west side of the Sherco Generating Plant and the East Block (1,825.7 acres), which is located on the east side of the Sherco Generating Plant.

Xcel Energy is proposing to build the West HVTL, a new 3.2-mile single circuit 345 kV transmission line to connect the Solar Project to the existing Sherburne County Substation on the south side of the Sherco Generating Plant.  Xcel Energy has developed a West Route for the proposed West HVTL Project that is located in sections  26, 27, and 35 of Clear Lake Township and Sections 25 and 36 (T34N R29W) and Sections 1 and 2 (T33N 29W), all four of which are within the City of Becker.

Xcel Energy is proposing to build the East HVTL, a new 1.7-mile single circuit 345 kV transmission line to connect the Solar Project to the existing Sherburne County Substation on the south side of the Sherco Generating Plant.  Xcel Energy has developed an East Route for the proposed East HVTL Project that is located in sections 1, 6, and 7 of the City of Becker and Becker Township.

The attached map outlines the location of the Solar Project, the West HVTL and the East HVTL.
(map in photos)

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING MEETING

Within sixty (60) days after the Commission accepts the Application as complete, the Commission will schedule a public meeting to provide information to the public about the Project and to afford the public an opportunity to present comments and ask questions. At this meeting, members of the public may comment on the scope of the draft Environmental Assessment (“EA”) that the Department of Commerce, Energy, Environmental Review and Analysis unit (“EERA”) will prepare. Once the public meeting is scheduled, notice of the meeting will be provided to persons whose names are on the Project contact list and will be published in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the Project Area.

Further details regarding upcoming meetings and comment periods on the Application will be provided by Xcel Energy and the Commission in the future. 

HOW TO LEARN MORE

Department of Commerce Project Website: http://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities.

Full Case Record: All documents filed in these dockets are available on the Commission’s website at https://mn.gov/puc/. Select “eDockets,” and under the category of “Docket Number,” enter the year (21) and docket number (189 for the West HVTL Project; 190 for the East HVTL Project; 191 for the Solar Project Site Permit), then select “Search.”

Subscribe to the Docket: The best way to stay informed is to “subscribe” to receive e-mail notifications when new documents are filed in the docket:

1. Follow the steps above to access the full case record.
2. Select box under Subscribe and click on Subscribe.
3. Type your e-mail address.
4. For Type of Subscription, select Docket Number.
5. For Docket Number, select 21 in the first box and type 189 for the West HVTL Project; 190 for the East HVTL Project; and 191 for the Solar Project Site Permit in the second box.
6. Select Add to List.
7. Select Save.

Project Mailing List: Contact the Public Advisor (see below).

Public Libraries: The Application is available for review at the following public library:

• Great River Regional Library – Becker

11500 Sherburne Avenue

Becker, MN 55308

Minnesota Statutes and Rules: The Solar Project, the West HVTL and East HVTL are eligible for consideration by the Commission under the alternative permitting process in Minn. Stat. § 216E.04 and Minn. R. 7850.2800 and 7850.2900. Minnesota Statutes and Rules are available at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/.

PROJECT CONTACTS

Public Utilities Commission Public Advisor for Solar Project, West HVTL and East HVTL
Mike Kaluzniak at mike.kaluzniak@state.mn.us or (651) 201-2257 or 1 (800) 657-3782.

Public Utilities Commission Staff Analyst for Solar Project, West HVTL and East HVTL
Scott Ek at scott.ek@state.mn.us or (651) 201-2255 or 1 (800) 657-3782.

Department of Commerce Environmental Review Manager
Bill Storm at bill.storm@state.mn.us or (651) 539-1844.

If you wish to receive written notices of the Project milestones regarding the environmental review process, including notice of the availability of the draft EA, please sign up for the Project contact list by contacting the Public Advisor indicated above.

Should you require further information pertaining to the Solar Project, the West HVTL, East HVTL or the Application, please contact William Rise at National Grid Renewables Development, LLC at 952-300-9476 or wrisse@nationalgridrenewables.com.