Xcel Energy proposes to build a second 115 kV transmission line from its Fenton Substation to its Nobles County Substation and on October 18, 2007, filed a route permit application for the Fenton � Nobles #2 115kV Project (the �Project�).  The length of the proposed transmission line route is approximately 21 miles.  Xcel also proposes to install associated facilities including improvements to both substations to accommodate the new transmission line. 

The proposed Fenton � Nobles #2 115kV high voltage transmission line (HVTL) Project  is the first of three transmission line route permits anticipated to be filed by the end of January 2008 for Xcel Energy�s (Xcel) �Buffalo Ridge Incremental Generation Outlet� (BRIGO) transmission project. 

The BRIGO transmission project is part of a series of measures intended to increase transmission capacity to export wind energy generated on the Buffalo Ridge to Xcel Energy�s customers.  Xcel indicates that the three proposed BRIGO transmission lines will increase the transmission outlet capacity on the Buffalo Ridge from approximately 825 megawatts (MW) to approximately 1,175 MW and resolve electric reliability issues in the city of Marshall.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC or Commission) issued a Certificate of Need (CON) to Xcel Energy for the BRIGO transmission project on September 14, 2007.  In its Order, the PUC required that Xcel file route permit applications for all the three BRIGO transmission lines no later than January 2008 and take necessary steps to have the lines constructed and in-service no later than spring 2009.