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Published January 14, 2011, 12:00 AM

Report examines environmental impact of new transmission line

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security (OES) has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Fargo-to-St. Cloud 345-kilovolt transmission line and substation project.

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    Contributed This map shows two possible routes a new 345-kilovolt transmission line may take through Douglas County. The preferred route (in green) follows Interstate-94 through the center of the county. An alternative route would skirt the county’s southern border.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security (OES) has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Fargo-to-St. Cloud 345-kilovolt transmission line and substation project.

The intent of the environmental review process is to inform the public, the applicants and decision-makers about potential impacts and possible mitigations for a proposed project.

The FEIS for the transmission project, which passes through part of Douglas County, evaluated impacts for a number of route alternatives, including one along Interstate Highway 94.

It addresses the unique issues that could arise when placing a high voltage transmission line along a major trunk highway. It also presents a comparative analysis of human and environmental impacts amongst route alternatives.

Copies of the FEIS can be obtained through the OES and may be viewed at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission website: http://energyfacilities.puc.state.mn.us/Docket.html?Id=25053.

A hard copy will be available for viewing at the Douglas County Library, Glenwood Public Library and 11 other libraries in the region by January 17.

Background on

the project

Xcel Energy and Great River Energy submitted an application to construct a new 345-kilovolt high voltage transmission line (HVTL) between the Red River, either at a location south of Moorhead or south of Breckenridge, and the new quarry substation west of St. Cloud.

The Minnesota portion of the proposed Fargo to St. Cloud 345-kilovolt project will be approximately 169 to 180 miles long, extending from the Red River to the existing Alexandria switching station located south of Alexandria and to the new quarry substation in St. Joseph.

The North Dakota portion of the project, from a new Bison substation west of Fargo to the Red River, depending on the route selected, will be approximately 31 to 81 miles.

Construction is expected to begin in 2014 and be completed and in service by the third quarter of 2015.

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