Electric Transmission Planning in the State of Minnesota

Includes Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Isanti, Itasca, Hubbard, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, St. Louis, Todd and Wadena counties.

Detailed Northeast Planning Zone Map (PDF)

2007 Public Information Meeting

The public was invited to join representatives from area utilities in a planning meeting to discuss the electric transmission system in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.

Discussion focused on identifying problems with the existing system in meeting the demand for electricity in the area and possible solutions, including possible new transmission projects. A synopsis of public comments from the meeting will be included in a Biennial State Transmission Plan the utilities will submit to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). The plan will also include a list of transmission lines each utility is requesting certification from the MPUC to build. The MPUC will provide opportunity for public comment on the plan.

Public participation is an important part of the transmission planning process as we work together to ensure continued reliable service to Minnesota residents.

Issues Specific to This Zone

Cromwell-Wrenshall-Mahtowa Area
• Improvements needed for local load serving
• Low voltage for loss of Thompson source
• Studies underway to determine best method to address this inadequacy
• Options include 115-kV transmission and local area generation
• The transmission option may also provide a benefit to the issues Great River Energy is having in the Floodwood area

Central Lakes Area
• Facility overloading occurs on the Minnesota Power 115-kV system that serves the Brainerd substation
• Need a 115-kV line connection between Southdale and the Minnesota Power 24 Line (Baxter-Dog Lake)
• This connection will improve transmission reliability to Southdale and Brainerd substations by adding a third source to the region

Pierz-Genola Area
• Contingency conditions will result in low voltage and facility overloading
• The future plans call for a new 115-kV line to Little Falls from the Pierz area where a 230/1150-kV source will be located
• Present plans would be to build the line and operate at 34.5-kV
• Great River Energy is also considering to shorting the line in the short-term by moving the Crow Wing Power Little Falls substation to 115-kV
Taconite Harbor to Grand Marais
• The existing 69-kV system in a long radial line where loss of the lines leads to potentially long outages
• Great River Energy will install a small generation plant to provide backup service to this area

Mille Lacs Area
• The existing transmission system in this area has already become limited in service where low voltages are already forecasted during contingencies on peak loads
• Facility overloads are expected in the next 10 years
• The proposed alternative is a new Mud Lake-Wilson Lake 115-kV line and Wilson Lake 115/69-kV source in 2008
• Great River Energy filed a certificate of need and route permit in July, 2006 to the MN PUC

Floodwood Area
• It is projected that by 2012, contingency conditions will result in low voltage
• Facility overloads at a later time
• Proposed alternative is a new 115/69-kV substation in the Floodwood area
• Great River Energy and Minnesota Power coordinating study with Wrenshall and

Mahtowa area study
Nashwauk Area
• Low voltages and facility overloading can occur during system intact conditions
• Two alternatives are being reviewed
• Alternative 1 is a new substation at Shoal Lake
• Alternative 2 is a new substation at Lawrence Lake
• Lawrence Lake is the preferred option as the substation is located closer to the load center

Bemidji-Grand Rapids 230-kilovolt transmission line
• The Bemidji and Cass lake area electric load will soon reach levels that will make its electric system susceptible to brown-outs or black-outs without the construction of another 230-kV line
• This proposed project will provide increased voltage support not only to the Bemidji and Cass Lake area, but also throughout the Red River Valley and north central Minnesota.
• CapX 2020 planning efforts also identified the Bemidji-Grand Rapids line as one of four lines needed in the first group of projects to improve regional transmission system reliability

Other Projects
• Mesaba Energy Project Outlet Transmission
• Generator outlet (GO) transmission is necessary to deliver the plant output to the Minnesota Power transmission network at either the Forbes or Blackberry 230-kV Substations
• The proposed GO transmission lines involve the construction of two 345-kV circuits but operated at 230-kilovolt for the first unit
• The application for the plant site selection and the GO transmission routings was accepted by the MN PUC as complete on July 28, 2006
• The Large Generator Interconnection Agreements covering the required Network Upgrades and Interconnection Facilities for both the proposed sites have been completed and executed by MISO, Minnesota Power and Excelsior Energy.
• For the preferred West Range site, a new 80 mile 230kV line from Boswell-Riverton is required in addition to the normal Point of Interconnection substation modifications.
• Expect the draft EIS to be issued around Labor Day and the public hearings to follow.
• Expect site/GO line public hearings to start in September 2007 and a final MN PUC ruling by March-April, 2007.

Transmission to serve Minnesota Steel Industries
• Transmission will be needed to supply possible new mining/steel making facility proposed to be located near Nashwauk Minnesota
• Transmission construction would involve development of 230 kV lines to connect facility to area’s transmission system
• Route Permit expected to be filed 2007
• Transmission construction would proceed only if Minnesota Steel Industries project proceeds

Project Updates
Tower-Ely-Babbitt Area Tracking # 2003-NE-N1
• Certificate of need and route permit have been obtained
• Right-of-way acquisition and construction to start fall 2007
• Project expected to be complete November 2009

Pequot Lakes-Badoura Area and Long Lake-Badoura Area Tracking # 2003-NE-N3 and 2005-NE-N1

• Certificate of need issued June 2006
• Route permit application submitted March 2007
• Right-of-way acquisition and construction expected to start late fall 2007 if permit obtained
• Project expected to be complete Spring 2010

Swanville area
• Permit for Pepin Lake Substation approved
• Substation Construction to start Fall 2007
• Project expected to be complete Fall 2008

Two Harbors area
• Permit for 115 kV Substation approved
• Substation Construction to start Fall 2007
• Project expected to be complete November 2008

Additional comments or questions may be submitted by using the “Contact Us” link at the top of this web page.