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 (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 environmental review manager or public advisor listed below.

Project Docket

Docket No E002/TL-09-1448
Project name Hampton to Rochester to La Crosse 345kV and 161kV Transmission Line
Applicant Xcel Energy
Description Xcel Energy Application to construct a new 345 kV and a new 161kV transmission line from the Hampton Substation, through Rochester, to a proposed substation in La Crosse, Wis
Subjects Environmental policy; Electric power transmission
Location Dakota County; Goodhue County; Olmsted County; Wabasha County
Docket created: January 07, 2010
Contacts: David Birkholz, 651-539-1838, Environmental Review Manager.
Ray Kirsch, 651-539-1841, Public Advisor.
Status:
 
03-9-2010
Application accepted
 
05-4-2010
Public meeting
 
08-6-2010
Scoping decision
 
03-21-2011
Draft EIS available
 
06-14-2011
Public hearing
 
08-31-2011
Final EIS available
 
05-30-2012
Permit issued
 
09-12-2016
Project built
 
Docket closed
eDockets 09-1448
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Project Summary

 Project Segment

 Construction Planned

  Completed/Energized
 North Rochester to Northern Hills 161 kV  Jan. 2013 - May 2013  May 2014
 North Rochester to Mississippi River 345 kV  June 2013 - July 2014  September 2015
 North Rochester to Chester 161 kV  Nov. 2014 - May 2015  January 2016
 Hampton to North Rochester  Dec. 2014 - Oct. 2015  September 2016

 

 Xcel Energy has submitted a Route Permit application to construct and operate a new 345 kV and a new 161kV transmission line between the existing Hampton Substation and a new substation near La Crosse, Wis.

Within Minnesota, the proposed 345kV transmission line would be 80 to 90 miles in length. The proposed 161kV transmission line would be approximately 15 miles in length. The proposal also includes construction of a new North Rochester Substation between Pine Island and Zumbrota, Minn., and improvements to the Hampton and Northern Hills Substations. The proposed project would be located in Dakota, Goodhue, Olmsted and Wabasha counties.

(On May 22, 2009, the Commission issued an Order granting a Certificate of Need (CN) for the CapX 2020 projects. The CN record can be reviewed by entering year "06" and number "1115" at https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/search.jsp . OES environmental analysis for the CN record can be viewed at http://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/Docket.html?Id=19120.)

Primary Documents
DateDocumentDescription
01/20/10 Route Permit Application
Route Permit Application for the proposed 345kV and 161kV transmission lines from Hampton, Minn. to La Crosse, WI
08/31/11 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse 345 KV and 161 kV Transmission Lines Project
The final environmental impact statement (final EIS) provides an overview of the proposed project and its alternatives, the regulatory framework, and an analysis of the potential impacts and mitigative measures which may minimize the impacts of the project. The final EIS responds to public comments received on the draft EIS
05/30/12 Commission Order Granting a Route Permit for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Line
The Public Utilities Commission has issued a route permit for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse transmission line project in Dakota, Goodhue, Olmsted and Wabasha counties. Findings of Fact, the Permit, and Route Maps are included in the Order issued May 30, 2012
File Register
Energy Facilities eDockets
DateDocumentDescription
03/26/14 Minor Alterations Approved for Hampton-La Crosse 345 kV Transmission Project Route Permit | document details
The Commission has issued an Order authorizing the Minor Alterations requested by Xcel Energy in Pine Island and Oronoco townships
01/23/14 Minor Alteration Request on the Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse 345 kV Transmission Project
Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy submitted a request for route modifications in Pine Island and Oronoco Township
07/17/13 Minor Alteration Approved for Hampton-La Crosse 345 kV Transmission Project Route Permit | document details
The Commission has issued an Order authorizing the Minor Alteration requested by Xcel Energy in the North Rochester to Mississippi portion of the Project
05/06/13 Minor Alteration Request on the Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse 345 kV Transmission Project
Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy submitted a request for a route modification near Pine Island
05/30/12 Commission Order Granting a Route Permit for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Line
The Public Utilities Commission has issued a route permit for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse transmission line project in Dakota, Goodhue, Olmsted and Wabasha counties. Findings of Fact, the Permit, and Route Maps are included in the Order issued May 30, 2012
02/08/12 Administrative Law Judge Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommendation (5.9 MB) | document details
The Administrative Law Judge has filed findings of fact, conclusions of law and a route recommendation for the CapX 2020 Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse transmission line project
08/31/11 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse 345 KV and 161 kV Transmission Lines Project
The final environmental impact statement (final EIS) provides an overview of the proposed project and its alternatives, the regulatory framework, and an analysis of the potential impacts and mitigative measures which may minimize the impacts of the project. The final EIS responds to public comments received on the draft EIS
08/31/11 Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse 345 and 161 kV Transmission Line Project | document details
The Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Facility Permitting Unit has released the Final EIS responding to timely substantive comments received on the Draft EIS
05/24/11 Notice of Public Hearing for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Lines Project (51 KB) | document details
A public hearing is being convened in the project area from June 14, 2011, to June 16, 2011, at the times and places listed in this notice. A comment period will be open through June 30, 2011. (See the notice for instruction on how to send comments to the ALJ.)
05/13/11 Public comments on the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Draft EIS (335 KB) | document details
Public comments received at public meetings and during the written comment period. Use the Zoom function if text appears small. Click on the highlighted link in the spreadsheet to view individual comments
03/21/11 Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse 345 KV and 161 kV Transmission Lines Project
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement provides an overview of the proposed project and its alternatives, the regulatory framework and an analysis of the potential impacts and possible mitigative measures which may minimize the impacts of the Project. Documents and maps are available through this link
03/21/11 Notice of Availability of Draft EIS and Public Information Meetings for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse 345 kV and 161 kV Transmission Lines Project | document details
OES EFP has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Project. Public Information Meetings will be held April 12-14 to take public comment on the DEIS (see notice for times and locations). OES EFP will accept written comments on the DEIS through April 29, 2011
09/20/10 OES EFP Notification of LGUs along newly scoped routes for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse HVTL project (5 MB) | document details
Based on public comments during the scoping comment period, the Director of OES has included new routes in the August 2010 EIS Scoping Decision. OES notified local government units along these newly scoped routes in a letter dated September 20, 2010
09/17/10 OES EFP Notification of Landowners along newly scoped routes for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse HVTL project (5 MB) | document details
Based on public comments during the scoping comment period, the Director of OES has included new routes in the August 2010 EIS Scoping Decision. OES notified landowners along these newly scoped routes in a letter dated September 2010
08/06/10 Comments on the Scope of the Environmental Impact Statement for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Lines Project
Comments received at the public information and scoping meetings and through the end of the comment period May 20, 2010
08/06/10 Scoping Decision Document on the CapX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Lines Project Environmental Impact Statement (5 MB) | document details
The Scoping Decision Document determines the issues and alternative routes to be evaluated in the Environmental Impact Statement for the project. It is anticipated the Draft EIS will be published by February 2011
05/18/10 CapX Hampton-Rochester-LaCrosse 345kV HVTL Public Scoping Comments
Public comments recorded at the CapX Hampton-Rochester-LaCrosse 345kV HVTL Public Information and EIS Scoping Meetings 5/4/10-5/6/10
05/06/10 Public Meeting Materials for the Public Information and EIS Scoping Meetings
OES staff provided handouts and a presentation to attendees at the public meetings. These materials are available here. The comment period on issues to be addressed in the EIS ended May 20, 2010
04/19/10 Notice of Public Information and EIS Scoping Meetings for the CapX Hampton-Rochester-LaCrosse Transmission Line Project | document details
OES is conducting public meetings for the proposed Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse transmission line project on May 4, 5, and 6 in the cities of Plainview, Pine Island, and Cannon Falls. The public is invited to attend to gather information and share comments on the project and potential route alternatives. A comment period on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement is open through May 20, 2010
03/26/10 Hampton to Northern Hills Advisory Task Force Information Page, Including Final Report
The proceedings and work of the Hampton to Northern Hills Advisory Task Force (ATF).
03/26/10 North Rochester to Mississippi River Advisory Task Force Information Page, Including Final Report
The proceedings and work of the North Rochester to Mississippi River Advisory Task Force (ATF).
03/25/10 Notice of Solicitation of Advisory Task Force Members | document details
The Office of Energy Security (OES) is soliciting members for two advisory task forces for the Hampton - Rochester - La Crosse 345 kV and 161 kV transmission line project. OES is seeking representatives of non-governmental entities, particularly environmental and civic organizations, with missions that include the geography of the proposed routes. Candidate information forms must be received by April 6, 2010
03/09/10 PUC Order accepting the application as complete | document details
The Commission accepted the CAPX Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse transmission project route permit application as complete in an Order dated March 9, 2010
03/03/10 OES Comments and Recommendations on Advisory Task Force structure and charge. | document details
Recommendation to the PUC on Advisory Task Force structure and charge
02/17/10 OES Comments and Recommendations on accepting the CapX2020 Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Lines Project application as complete | document details
Recommendation by OES staff to accept the Route Permit Application as complete
01/20/10 Route Permit Application
Route Permit Application for the proposed 345kV and 161kV transmission lines from Hampton, Minn. to La Crosse, WI

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