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.
Application accepted |
Public meeting |
Scoping decision |
On September 20, 2017, Freeborn Wind Energy LLC, an affiliate of Invenergy LLC, filed a route permit application to construct an approximately seven miles of new 161 kV transmission line in Freeborn County. The project requires a route permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission before it may be constructed.
On December 5, 2017, the Commission accepted the route permit application as complete. An environmental assessment scoping and public information meeting was at Riverland Community College in Albert Lea on Tuesday, December 19, 2017. The Commission will provide input regarding route and route segment alternatives on February 8, 2018. Energy Environmental Review and Analysis staff will then prepare an environmental assessment for the project. Once the environmental assessment is available, a public hearing will be held. Upon completion of the public hearing, the Commission will make a route permit decision.
Project Background
The stated need of the project is to interconnect the proposed Freeborn Wind Farm (Docket No. 17-410) with the existing Glenworth Substation located southeast of Glenville. Should the Freeborn Wind Farm not be permitted, the proposed project will not be built. The applicant indicates an 80 foot right-of-way is necessary for the project, except that a 22-foot right‑of‑way will be used to cross County Road 108 (830th Avenue). Structures will generally be 80 feet tall and span 550 to 900 feet. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2020, with an in-service date of December 2020. The proposed project is expected to cost approximately $3.7 million.
Interactive Web Viewer
An interactive web map of the different routes and route segments forwarded to the Commission for their input is available here: VIEWER.
Contact Andrew Levi, Environmental Review Manager, at 651-539-1840
with any questions.
| Primary Documents | ||
| Date | Document | Description |
| Scoping Decision for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project | document details | The Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Commerce has issued a decision on the scope of the environmental assessment to be prepared for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project in Freeborn County, Minnesota. The environmental assessment is scheduled to be issued in May 2018 |
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| Route Permit Application for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Project | Freeborn Wind Energy LLC filed an application for a route permit with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to construct a seven-mile 161 kV transmission line southeast of Glenville, Minnesota in Freeborn County |
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| Notice of Environmental Assessment Scoping Decision | document details | The Deputy Commissioner of Commerce has issued a decision on the scope of the environmental assessment to be prepared for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project in Freeborn County, Minnesota. The EA is scheduled to be issued in May 2018 |
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| Date | Document | Description |
| Notice of Environmental Assessment Scoping Decision | document details | The Deputy Commissioner of Commerce has issued a decision on the scope of the environmental assessment to be prepared for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project in Freeborn County, Minnesota. The EA is scheduled to be issued in May 2018 |
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| Scoping Decision for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project | document details | The Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Commerce has issued a decision on the scope of the environmental assessment to be prepared for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project in Freeborn County, Minnesota. The environmental assessment is scheduled to be issued in May 2018 |
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| Commission Order Requesting Study of Additional Route Segment | document details | Commission order requesting the Department of Commerce include an additional route segment alternative in the scope of the environmental assessment to be prepared for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project |
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| Comments on the Scoping Process | document details | EERA comments and recommendations to the Public Utilities Commission regarding the scoping process for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project |
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| Public Comments and Meeting Notes | Staff received the following comments about the scope of the environmental assessment for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project. Notes from the December 19, 2017, Environmental Assessment Scoping and Public Information Meeting are also provided. |
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| Environmental Assessment Scoping Meeting Handouts | Department handouts for the Tuesday, December 19, 2017, environmental assessment scoping and public information meeting for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Project to be held at Riverland Community College in Albert Lea, Minnesota, at 6:00 p.m |
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| Notice of Environmental Assessment Scoping and Public Information Meeting for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project | document details | An environmental assessment scoping and public information meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at Riverland Community College, Lecture Hall 124, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Public comments on the scope (or content) of the environmental assessment that will be prepared for the project will be accepted through Wednesday, January 3, 2018 |
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| Commission Order Regarding Application Completeness | document details | The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission accepted the Freeborn Wind Energy LLC route permit application as complete, authorized environmental review under the alternative permitting process, and referred the application to the Office of Administrative Hearings for a summary proceeding. |
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| Comments and Recommendations on the Completeness of the Route Permit Application | document details | EERA staff recommends that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission find the Route Permit Application for the Freeborn Wind Energy Transmission Project as substantially complete, but require the Applicant to provide additional information |
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| Notice of Comment Period on Application Completeness for the Freeborn Wind Farm Transmission Project | document details | The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is soliciting comments on the completeness of Freeborn Wind Energy LLC's route permit application for the Freeborn Wind Farm Transmission Project. Comments will be accepted through October 24 at 4:30 p.m |
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| Route Permit Application for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Project | Freeborn Wind Energy LLC filed an application for a route permit with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to construct a seven-mile 161 kV transmission line southeast of Glenville, Minnesota in Freeborn County |
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