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Learn what’s next for the
Minnesota Energy Connection project
December 2024
Xcel Energy thanks all who attended and participated in the recent public hearings on this important project.
The comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and proceeding overseen by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ended on Nov. 25. 2024. The ALJ and State of Minnesota staff will review all verbal and written comments submitted. We expect the Final EIS and the ALJ’s report and recommendation to be issued in early 2025. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will then schedule a meeting to deliberate and decide if the project’s Certificate of Need and Route Permit should be approved, including the final approved route.
If all applications are approved, Xcel Energy will begin working with landowners throughout 2025 to negotiate easement purchases and begin pre-construction activities. Construction would begin in 2026.
For additional questions or comments on the project, landowners may contact the State of Minnesota at [email protected] and should reference docket numbers 22-131 or 22-132. Questions about the project for Xcel Energy can be emailed to [email protected] or by calling 1- 888-292-4714.
The Commission is responsible for reviewing applications for new high-voltage transmission lines.
We encourage you to sign up to receive email updates from the Commission when new items are filed in the dockets. To receive email notifications when new documents are filed. To subscribe, visit: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/Efiling, select Subscribe to eDockets and follow the prompts.
AFTER ‘prompts’ select docket number 22-131 (Certificate of Need) or 22-132 (Route Permit application).
Xcel Energy is leading the clean energy transition with our plan to reduce carbon emissions 85% by 2030, moving closer to our vision to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.
As part of this transition, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy’s plan to retire all of its Upper Midwest coal generation, including the three Sherco units and replace them with renewable energy sources. In its order approving our Upper Midwest Energy Plan in early 2022, the Commission directed us to begin the permitting process for transmission lines to connect and deliver renewable energy to our customers, including the MN Energy Connection project to connect at Sherco.
We filed the Certificate of Need in March 2023. You can review it here.
The route proposals below were filed in October 2023 with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in our Route Permit application. The full application can be reviewed at MN.gov/puc
The revised route options were presented at public open houses in June 2023 and we are asking for feedback on the route options by the end of July.