Site Permit
Permit Process:
Once an application for a wind energy project has been accepted by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission), the review process begins.
The Commission’s practice is to hold a joint public meeting and open a written comment period with the Department of Commerce Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA) to explain Commission’s review process, the characteristic of the proposed project, and to get input from members of the public.
After this, the Commission decides whether to issue a draft site permit, which is not a final approval but allows for more review. If a draft permit is issued, there will be a public hearing led by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to discuss the project and its impacts. The ALJ will then write a report with findings and recommendations. The Commission will review the record and hold a public agenda meeting before deciding if they will issue a final site permit.
The Commission might choose, or anyone from the public can ask for, a contested case hearing if there are disagreements about the project or specific issues. If this happens, the ALJ will lead extra hearings and write a report for the Commission that includes findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
After receiving the Report from the ALJ, the Commission will then review all the information in the record, including public comments, hold a public Agenda Meeting to discuss and decide whether to issue a site permit.
Click on image for a downloadable and printable version of the process
Permitting timeline: Within 180 days after application acceptance.
The PUC role: The Commission reviews, helps build the record, and the Commissioners make the final decision about what appropriate action to take.
Who’s involved
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
Department of Commerce – Energy Environmental Review & Analysis (DOC EERA)
Office of Administrative Hearings – Administrative Law Judge
Permit Applicant
To learn more about relevant statutes and rules, go to the Office of the Revisor of Statutes: Relevant Statutes: Minn. Rules Chapter 7854/Minn. Rules 7854
Need More Help?
Email: publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us
Call the Commission @ 651-296-0406
Permit Amendment or Revocation
Permitting Process:
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) can make changes to a permit for a wind energy project either on its own or if someone asks them to. When they get a request, the Commission will open a comment period where people can give their opinions on the proposed permit change. After this period ends, and after giving the permit holder a fair chance to speak, the Commission will decide whether to approve the change.
The Commission can also revoke a permit for a wind energy project either on its own or if someone asks them to. They can't cancel a permit without first telling the permit holder and affording then due process. The Commission can cancel a permit for a wind energy project at any time if they find that the permit holder has done certain things listed in the law.
Click on image for a downloadable and printable version of the process
The PUC role: The Commission reviews, helps build the record, and the Commissioners make the final decision about what appropriate action to take.
Who’s involved:
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
Department of Commerce – Energy Environmental Review & Analysis (DOC EERA)
Permittee
To learn more about relevant statutes and rules, go to the Office of the Revisor of Statutes: Relevant Statutes and Rules: Minn. Stat. 216F.04(d)/Minn. Rules 7854.1300
Need More Help?
Email: publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us
Call the Commission @ 651-296-0406
Permit Transfer
Permitting Process:
When a permittee requests a site permit transfer, its petition must include the name and description of the person to whom the permit is being transferred, the reason for the transfer and the requested date of the transfer. The permittee must provide notice to those identified as interested in the matter. The person to whom the permit is proposed to be transferred must provide the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) whatever information the Commission requires in order to determine whether the new permittee can comply with the conditions contained in the permit. The Commission shall approve the transfer if it determines that the new permittee will comply with the conditions of the permit. The Commission may hold a public meeting to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the transfer request prior to making a decision.
The PUC role: The Commission reviews, helps build the record, and the Commissioners make the final decision about what appropriate action to take.
Who’s involved:
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
Department of Commerce – Energy Environmental Review & Analysis (DOC EERA)
Permittee
Permit Applicant
To learn more about relevant statutes and rules, go to the Office of the Revisor of Statutes: Relevant Statutes and Rules: Minn. Stat. 216F.04/Minn. Rules 7854.1400
Need More Help?
Email: publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us
Call the Commission @ 651-296-0406
