This webpage contains information and documents related to the permitting of this project by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Every project before the Commission has an electronic docket - an eDocket, a file folder for all of the project.s documents.
Documents for this project are listed below in the File Register, most recent documents first. To view the eDockets record for this project, click on the eDockets link below, or click on the eDockets tab in the File Register. A subset of the record, including key documents with descriptions, is available by clicking on the Energy Facilities tab in the File Register.
For more information about participating in the permitting of this project, click on the How to Participate tab, or contact the state permit manager or public advisor listed below.
Project Docket
Docket No
ET2/TL-11-867
Project name
Parkers Prairie 115 kV Transmission Line Project
Applicant
Great River Energy
Description
Great River Energy proposes to replace approximately 2.1 miles of existing 41.6 kV transmission line with 115 kV line and to update the existing Parkers Prairie substation in Otter Tail County, near the city of Parkers Prairie
Subjects
Environmental policy; Electric power transmission
Location
Otter Tail County
Docket created:
October 20, 2011
Contacts:
Ray Kirsch,
651-296-7588, Environmental Review Manager.
David Birkholz, 651-296-2878, Public Advisor.
David Birkholz, 651-296-2878, Public Advisor.
Status:
Application accepted |
Public meeting |
Scoping decision |
Environmental document available |
Public hearing |
Permit issued |
eDockets
11-867
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Project Summary
Great River Energy (GRE) proposes to replace approximately 2.1 miles of an existing 41.6 kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Otter Tail County, Minn. with a new line at a voltage of 115 kV. The 41.6 kV line is located along the south side of County Road 6, just west of the city of Parkers Prairie. In addition, GRE, in collaboration with Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC), proposes to modify and update the existing Parkers Prairie substation.
The new transmission line will utilize wooden poles, ranging in height from 60 - 85 ft. The easement required for the new line will be 100 ft. (50 ft. on each side of the line). The Parkers Prairie substation will be expanded 40 ft. to the south to accomodate a new 115 kV transformer.
GRE's proposed Parkers Prairie 115 kV project requires a route permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission). Department of Commerce, Energy Facility Permitting staff conducted the environmental review for the project. An environmental assessment was issued on March 19, 2012. Administrative law judge Richard Luis held a public hearing on the project on April 10, 2012, in Parkers Prairie. On August 28, 2012, the Commission issued a route permit for the project.
Construction on the project is expected to begin in late 2012, with an anticipated in-service date of 2013.
| Primary Documents | ||
| Date | Document | Description |
| Route Permit for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV Transmission Line Project | document details | The route permit for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV transmission line project, including route permit maps |
|
File Register
| Date | Document | Description |
| Route Permit for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV Transmission Line Project | document details | The route permit for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV transmission line project, including route permit maps |
|
| Commission Order Issuing a Route Permit for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV Transmission Line Project | Commission order issuing a route permit for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV transmission line project. Includes the Commission's order, findings of fact, and the route permit with maps |
|
| EFP Staff Reply Comments on Proposed Findings of Fact and Proposed Permit | document details | Reply comments on the initial comments received on the Department of Commerce, Energy Facility Permitting staff's proposed findings of fact and proposed permit for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV transmission project |
|
| Public Comments Received on Proposed Findings of Fact and Proposed Permit | Comments received on the Department of Commerce, Energy Facility Permitting unit's proposed findings of fact and proposed permit for the Parkers Prairie project |
|
| Notice of Comment Period on Proposed Findings of Fact and Proposed Permit for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV Transmission Line Project | document details | The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is seeking comments on the Department of Commerce, Energy Facility Permitting unit's proposed findings of fact and proposed permit for the Parkers Prairie project. Initial comments will be accepted through July 9, 2012, and reply comments through July 19, 2012. |
|
| EFP Staff Comments and Recommendations on Permit Issuance | document details | Staff comments on issuance of a route permit, including proposed findings of fact and a proposed route permit with maps for Great River Energy's Parkers Prairie 115 kV transmission line project |
|
| Summary of Public Hearing Testimony and Written Comments | document details | The administrative law judge's summary of testimony at the public hearing and of written comments received |
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| Notice of Public Hearing and Availability of Environmental Assessment for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV Transmission Line Project | document details | A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. at the Prairie Event Center in Parkers Prairie, Minn. Public comments on the project will be accepted by the administrative law judge through April 27, 2012. Department of Commerce, Energy Facility Permitting staff has prepared an environmental assessment for the project |
|
| Environmental Assessment for the Parkers Prairie Project | Department of Commerce, Energy Facility Permitting staff has prepared and issued an environmental assessment (EA) for the Parkers Prairie project. The EA identifies potential impacts and mitigation measures for the project |
|
| Scoping Decision for the Parkers Prairie Project | document details | The scoping decision identifies the issues and routes that will be evaluated in the environmental assessment (EA) for the project. The EA is anticipated to be completed and available in March 2012 |
|
| Public Comments Received on the Scope of the Environmental Assessment for the Parkers Prairie Project | Public comments received, including (1) Oral comments received at the public meeting on December 13, 2011, in Parkers Prairie and (2) Written comments received during the comment period ending December 30, 2011. |
|
| Public Meeting Handouts | Handouts and informational materials provided to attendees of the December 13, 2011, public meeting in Parkers Prairie |
|
| Notice of Public Information and Scoping Meeting for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV Transmission Line Project | document details | A public information and scoping meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. at the Prairie Event Center in Parkers Prairie, Minn. Public comments on the scope of the environmental assessment which will be prepared for the project will be accepted through December 30, 2011 |
|
| EFP Staff Comments and Recommendations on Application Acceptance | document details | Staff recommends that the Commission accept the route permit application for the Parkers Prairie project as complete |
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| Route Permit Application | Route permit application submitted by Great River Energy for the Parkers Prairie 115 kV transmission line project |
|
| Date | Document | On Behalf Of | Description |
| 05/01/13 | 20135-86575-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--APRIL 2013 STATUS AND COMPLAINT REPORT |
| 04/02/13 | 20134-85274-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--MARCH 2013 STATUS AND COMPLAINT REPORT |
| 03/01/13 | 20133-84351-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--FEBRUARY 2013 STATUS AND COMPLAINT REPORT |
| 02/08/13 | 20132-83654-01 | PUC | LETTER--TO MARSHA PARLOW RE COMPLIANCE REVIEW - PLAN AND PROFILE |
| 02/08/13 | 20132-83654-02 | PUC | LETTER--CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND SERVICE LIST |
| 02/01/13 | 20132-83500-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--JANUARY 2013 STATUS AND COMPLAINT REPORT |
| 01/15/13 | 20131-82773-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--FOLLOW UP TO EFP LETTER |
| 01/11/13 | 20131-82651-01 | DOC EFP | COMPLIANCE REVIEW--EFP STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENTS -- PLAN AND PROFILE FILING |
| 01/07/13 | 20131-82465-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--SUBMITTAL OF PLAN AND PROFILE WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION |
| 01/04/13 | 20131-82417-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--DECEMBER STATUS REPORT ON COMPLAINTS |
| 12/07/12 | 201212-81520-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--NOVEMBER 2012 MONTHLY STATUS AND COMPLAINT REPORT |
| 12/04/12 | 201212-81357-38 | PUC | NOTICE--CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND SERVICE LIST |
| 12/04/12 | 201212-81357-10 | PUC | NOTICE--POWER PLANT SITING AND TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTING PROGRAM ANNUAL HEARING |
| 11/16/12 | 201211-80752-02 | PUC | MINUTES--AUGUST 2, 2012 AGENDA MEETING |
| 11/07/12 | 201211-80473-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--OCTOBER 2012 MONTHLY STATUS AND COMPLAINT REPORT |
| 10/15/12 | 201210-79529-01 | DOC EFP | NOTICE--OF PERMIT DECISION IN EQB MONITOR |
| 10/04/12 | 201210-79244-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--SEPTEMBER 2012 MONTHLY STATUS AND COMPLAINT REPORT |
| 10/02/12 | 201210-79152-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--COMPLAINT PROCEDURES AND LANDOWNER NOTIFICATION |
| 09/17/12 | 20129-78700-01 | DOC EFP | NOTICE--OF PERMIT DECISION IN STATE REGISTER |
| 08/28/12 | 20128-78188-02 | PUC | ORDER--CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND SERVICE LIST |
| 08/28/12 | 20128-78188-01 | PUC | ORDER--ISSUING ROUTE PERMIT |
| 08/14/12 | 20128-77844-01 | PUC | PUBLIC COMMENT |
| 07/26/12 | 20127-77264-01 | PUC | BRIEFING PAPERS--AUGUST 2, 2012 AGENDA MEETING |
| 07/20/12 | 20127-76992-05 | PUC | NOTICE OF COMMISSION MEETING--AUGUST 2, 2012 AGENDA |
| 07/20/12 | 20127-76987-01 | DOC EFP | REPLY COMMENTS--COVER LETTER |
| 07/19/12 | 20127-76959-01 | DOC EFP | REPLY COMMENTS--- ON PERMIT ISSUANCE, PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT, AND PROPOSED ROUTE PERMIT |
| 07/17/12 | 20127-76854-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--MONTHLY COMPLAINT REPORT |
| 07/16/12 | 20127-76838-01 | PUC | PUBLIC COMMENT |
| 07/11/12 | 20127-76714-01 | TERRY CARLSON | COMMENTS--ON EFP RECOMMENDATION |
| 07/09/12 | 20127-76593-06 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMMENTS--ATTACHMENT 5 - MAP OF ALIGNMENT 1 |
| 07/09/12 | 20127-76593-02 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMMENTS--ATTACHMENT 1 - MAP OF EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE |
| 07/09/12 | 20127-76593-05 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMMENTS--ATTACHMENT 4 - MAP OF PROPOSED ROUTE WIDTH |
| 07/09/12 | 20127-76593-04 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMMENTS--ATTACHMENT 3 - EMAIL FROM LAKE REGION ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE |
| 07/09/12 | 20127-76593-03 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMMENTS--ATTACHMENT 2 - FIGURES 13 AND 14 |
| 07/09/12 | 20127-76593-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMMENTS--COMMENT LETTER ON EFP RECOMMENDATION |
| 06/28/12 | 20126-76213-01 | PUC | NOTICE--DISTRIBUTED TO ADDITIONAL LIST |
| 06/27/12 | 20126-76133-02 | PUC | NOTICE OF COMMENT PERIOD--CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND SERVICE LIST |
| 06/27/12 | 20126-76133-01 | PUC | NOTICE OF COMMENT PERIOD--NOTICE SOLICITING COMMENTS |
| 06/18/12 | 20126-75737-01 | DOC EFP | COMMENTS--AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON PERMIT ISSUANCE, PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT, AND PROPOSED ROUTE PERMIT WITH MAPS |
| 05/31/12 | 20125-75226-01 | OAH | PUBLIC COMMENT |
| 05/29/12 | 20125-75075-01 | OAH | DECISION--SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY AT PUBLIC HEARING AND SUMMARY OF WRITTEN COMMENTS REVISED |
| 05/25/12 | 20125-75037-01 | OAH | OTHER--AMENDMENT TO THE SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY AT PUBLIC HEARING AND SUMMARY OF WRITTEN COMMENTS |
| 05/25/12 | 20125-74997-01 | COURT REPORTER | EXHIBITS - HEARING--EXHIBIT LIST PREPARED BY DOC FOR THE HEARING HELD ON 4-10-2012 |
| 05/24/12 | 20125-74958-01 | OAH | DECISION--SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY AT PUBLIC HEARING AND SUMMARY OF WRITTEN COMMENTS |
| 05/23/12 | 20125-74941-01 | OAH | COMMENTS |
| 05/01/12 | 20125-74313-01 | COURT REPORTER | EXHIBITS - HEARING--PUBLIC HEARING EXHIBIT 19 |
| 05/01/12 | 20125-74314-01 | COURT REPORTER | TRANSCRIPTS--TRANSCRIPT OF PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON 4-10-12 PARKERS PRAIRIE |
| 04/13/12 | 20124-73590-01 | DOC EFP | AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION--FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |
| 04/04/12 | 20124-73339-01 | DOC EFP | NOTICE--BY CERTIFIED MAIL TO LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICIALS OF PUBLIC HEARING AND AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |
| 04/03/12 | 20124-73284-01 | DOC EFP | NOTICE--IN EQB MONITOR OF PUBLIC HEARING AND AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |
| 03/21/12 | 20123-72766-01 | DOC EFP | OTHER--CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE, MAILING OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TO PUBLIC AGENCIES |
| 03/20/12 | 20123-72757-01 | DOC EFP | NOTICE--OF PUBLIC HEARING AND AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |
| 03/19/12 | 20123-72712-01 | DOC EFP | REPORT--ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |
| 01/19/12 | 20121-70444-03 | PUC | MINUTES--NOVEMBER 29, 2011 AGENDA MEETING |
| 01/17/12 | 20121-70357-01 | DOC EFP | DECISION--ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING DECISION |
| 01/17/12 | 20121-70375-01 | DOC EFP | NOTICE--OF SCOPING DECISION |
| 01/12/12 | 20121-70218-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | LETTER--INFORMATION ON SCOPING QUESTION - MOVING SUBSTATION AND ELIMINATING TRANSMISSION LINE |
| 01/05/12 | 20121-69970-01 | DOC EFP | COMMENTS--ORAL COMMENTS RECEIVED AT EA SCOPING MEETING, DECEMBER 13, 2011 |
| 01/05/12 | 20121-69970-02 | DOC EFP | COMMENTS--WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED ON SCOPE OF EA |
| 12/30/11 | 201112-69833-01 | DOC EFP | AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION--FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EA SCOPING MEETING |
| 12/30/11 | 201112-69812-01 | MNDOT | COMMENTS |
| 12/07/11 | 201112-69045-02 | PUC | ORDER--CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND SERVICE LIST |
| 12/07/11 | 201112-69045-01 | PUC | ORDER |
| 11/29/11 | 201111-68721-01 | DOC | NOTICE--OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND SCOPING MEETINGS |
| 11/17/11 | 201111-68414-04 | PUC | NOTICE OF COMMISSION MEETING--NOVEMBER 29, 2011 |
| 11/17/11 | 201111-68426-01 | DOC EFP | COMMENTS--AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF DOC EFP STAFF ON APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE |
| 11/11/11 | 201111-68279-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | COMPLIANCE FILING--CONFIRMATION OF NOTICE OF ROUTE PERMIT APPLICATION |
| 10/24/11 | 201110-67619-04 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | INITIAL FILING--APPENDIX B |
| 10/24/11 | 201110-67619-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | INITIAL FILING--RPA COVER LETTER |
| 10/24/11 | 201110-67619-02 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | INITIAL FILING--ROUTE PERMIT APPLICATION |
| 10/24/11 | 201110-67619-03 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | INITIAL FILING--APPENDIX A |
| 10/24/11 | 201110-67619-05 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | INITIAL FILING--APPENDIX C |
| 08/25/11 | 20118-65721-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY | INITIAL FILING--INTENT TO FILE ROUTE PERMIT APPLICATION - PARKERS PRAIRIE 115 KV SUBSTATION AND TRANSMISSION LINE REBUILD PROJECT |