Public Utilities Infrastructure Information for Minnesota
Use this site to find GIS data, maps and statistics that show information about Minnesota's public utilities infrastructure.
- Data and map collections
- Electric power
- Natural gas, oil and ethanol
- Water and sewer
- Additional resources
If you are seeking data for excavation purposes, please see contact Gopher State One Call for location of local infrastructure.
Data and Map Collections
- U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Data Maps, Tools, Browsers and Dashboards
- U.S. Energy Atlas: A comprehensive reference for data and interactive maps of energy infrastructure and resources in the U.S (Requires log-in).
Electric Power
Energy Sources
- Wind
- Featured Data Source
- U.S. Wind Turbine Database: Map viewer with analysis tools, web services and downloadable data. Includes turbines from the FAA database described below. Extensive help and documentation.
- Minnesota wind turbines: selected from the U.S. Wind Turbine Database
- Minnesota
- 2006: Wind speed, capacity factor and energy production maps and wind speed GIS data.
- FAA database: A primary data source for the location of large wind farms is the FAA's Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis database.
Instructions: At the FAA website, select "Download Archives" from the menu on the left. Then select "Off Airport Cases", Region = AGL, then the year the permits were filed (for the AGL code, we suggest starting with 1998 and going through 2008), then select the download button. Repeat the process using Region = WTE for 2008 - the present (the AGL code includes many features other than wind turbines; wind turbines were first treated as a separate category with the WTE code in 2008). The data files are in .CSV format; they encompass the U.S. so you will have to select for the Minnesota facilities.
- National
- U.S. wind maps: Maps and GIS data. Select "Wind" under "Subject" filter.
- Featured Data Source
- Solar
- Minnesota
- National
- U.S. solar maps: Maps and GIS data. Select "Solar" under "Subject" filter.
- Nuclear
- Minnesota
- Basemaps of Monticello and Prairie Island plants along with emergency preparedness information such as evacuation routes and sampling points
- Facilities list
- National
- Minnesota
- Biomass
- National maps and GIS data
- U.S. biomass maps: Maps and GIS data. Select "Biomass" under "Subject" filter.
- National maps and GIS data
- Coal
- Minnesota: No coal producing regions are in Minnesota
- National
- Geothermal
- National Geothermal Data System: Catalog of documents and datasets that provide information about geothermal resources
- National Geothermal Data System: Catalog of documents and datasets that provide information about geothermal resources
- Hydrogen
- National
- U.S. hydrogen maps: Maps and GIS data. Select "Hydrogen" under "Subject" filter.
- National
Transmission Lines and Substations
- Minnesota
- Grid North Partners: A joint initiative of transmission-owning utilities in Minnesota and the surrounding region to expand the electric transmission grid to ensure continued reliable service.
- Maps of new transmission lines under construction in Minnesota and the surrounding region (under "Projects")
- Minnesota Electric Transmission Planning: Map of planning zones
- Grid North Partners: A joint initiative of transmission-owning utilities in Minnesota and the surrounding region to expand the electric transmission grid to ensure continued reliable service.
Service Areas
- Minnesota
- Detailed official statewide electric utility service area boundaries are available. With funding from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), MnGeo had the original paper boundary maps scanned and converted them to a GIS format. The PUC and electric utility companies operating in Minnesota have reviewed the data, although some boundary changes are still being updated and continue to be under review.
- Web-based viewing service
- Documentation and data download
- E-dockets system where all the change documents can be found (search for Docket # 12-957)
- Detailed official statewide electric utility service area boundaries are available. With funding from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), MnGeo had the original paper boundary maps scanned and converted them to a GIS format. The PUC and electric utility companies operating in Minnesota have reviewed the data, although some boundary changes are still being updated and continue to be under review.
Natural Gas and Ethanol
Natural Gas Pipeline Locations
- National
- National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) (restricted distribution)
The NPMS GIS data set is overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration working with other federal and state agencies and the pipeline industry. It contains the location and selected attributes of the major gas transmission and hazardous liquid transmission pipelines, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities operating in United States and other offshore entities. Distribution of NPMS GIS data is limited to pipeline operators and local, state, and federal government officials.- NPMS Public Map Viewer: View pipeline data by county (no data download)
- Documentation: including ordering instructions
- About U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines: Maps and tables
- Interactive U.S. pipeline map of INGAA members (Interstate Natural Gas Association of America)
- National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) (restricted distribution)
Natural Gas Utility Service Areas
MnGeo is not aware of any maps or GIS data showing the detailed boundaries of Minnesota's natural gas utility service areas.
Oil and Gas Fields
- National (no areas are in Minnesota)
Ethanol
- Minnesota
Water Supply Systems
Public water supplies are built and administered locally but there is state (Minnesota Department of Health) and federal (Environmental Protection Agency) oversight through the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Minnesota Water Well Construction Code. MDH administers the federal regulations and requires that all public water supplies – community and non-community – report water quality information to them.
- Minnesota Well Index Online: maps of well locations and information (does not include wells supplying public water systems -- this information is limited access)
- Source water protection maps and GIS data
- Drinking water protection
Sewer Systems
- National
- EPA Envirofacts: Search for sewer system locations and information using "SIC Code = 4952"
- State
- Wastewater Facilities regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Local
- Twin Cities metropolitan area: Datasets from the Metropolitan Council include sewersheds, sewer interceptor system and waste water treatment plant locations.
- Local government websites and city GIS contacts list: Look for public works departments or GIS departments
Additional Utility Map, Data and Information Resources
- Find a utility: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
- Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy
- Gopher State One Call: The One Call notification system established to inform all Minnesota underground facility operators of intended excavation. As the communication link between the excavator and the underground facility operator, it has increased public safety while decreasing underground facility damage, monetary loss, and personal injury by coordinating the locating of underground facilities.
- Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association
- Minnesota Rural Electric Association
- U.S. Department of Energy
- National Renewable Energy Lab GIS
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Energy Information Administration: Official energy statistics
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulated energy industries
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- MAPSearch: Energy GIS data and online mapping for purchase
- S&P Global Platts: Energy GIS data for purchase
- Midwest Esri Utility User Group
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities