Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project
Project Docket
| Docket No | 17-322 |
| Project name | Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project |
| Applicant | Freeborn Wind Energy LLC |
| Description | Freeborn Wind Energy LLC proposes to construct an approximately seven-mile long 161 kilovolt high voltage transmission line to interconnect the proposed Freeborn Wind Farm with the existing Glenworth Substation southeast of Glenville, Minnesota in Freeborn County |
| Location | Freeborn County |
| Contact | Andrew Levi andrew.levi@state.mn.us |
| Status |
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| eDockets | 17-322 |
Project Summary
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 provided input regarding route and route segment alternatives on February 8, 2018. Energy Environmental Review and Analysis staff issued the EA on May 14.
A public hearing, held at Riverland Community College, occurred May 31. An Administrative Law Judge issued a report setting forth findings, conclusions, and recommendations on the merits of the proposed project and alternatives to the proposed project, and provided comments and recommendations on the conditions and provisions of the proposed permit on July 26.
Upon receiving the ALJ report and recommendations, the Commission met to decide issuance of a route permit on September 20, 2018. The Commission approved the route permit--selecting the Orange Route combined with the Purple Route Segment.
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.
Key Project Documents
| Date | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 05/14/2018 | Environmental Assessment for the Freeborn Wind Transmission Line Project | The environmental assessment (EA) is a written document developed and prepared by the Department of Commerce that contains an overview of the resources and potential human and environmental impacts and mitigation measures associated with the proposed project |
| 09/20/2017 | 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 |