Public Information & Environmental Impact Statement Scoping - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Public Information & Environmental Impact Statement Scoping - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Public Information & Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Meeting Huntley to Wilmarth Transmission Line Docket CN 17 184/TL 17 185 | https://mn.gov/puc Huntley to Wilmarth Transmission Line Agenda 1. Overview of Meeting and

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Public Information & Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Meeting Huntley to Wilmarth Transmission Line

Docket CN‐17‐184/TL‐17‐185 | https://mn.gov/puc

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Huntley to Wilmarth Transmission Line ‐ Agenda

4/11/2018 Commission Docket CN‐17‐184/TL‐17‐185 | https://mn.gov/puc 2

  • 1. Overview of Meeting and Permit Process

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

  • 2. Project Information

Xcel Energy & ITC Midwest LLC

  • 3. Environmental Review Process

Department of Commerce ‐ Energy Environmental Review and Analysis

  • 4. Citizen Comments and Questions
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Huntley to Wilmarth Transmission Line – The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

4/11/2018 Commission Docket CN‐17‐184/TL‐17‐185 | https://mn.gov/puc 3

Our Role

  • The Commission regulates investor‐owned utilities to ensure Minnesotans are charged reasonable

rates for power.

  • The Commission ensures there is enough power generated to keep our lights on and our homes

warm.

  • The Commission permits energy generation facilities and transmission lines for construction.

Permitting

  • Commission staff review evidence, build a record of public information, analyze the information to

verify it meets statutory requirements, and make recommendations to the 5 Commissioners who have final say about a given permit decision.

  • The Commissioners, after conducting a public process including a public hearing, make the final

decision about a project, which carries the weight of law.

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Huntley to Wilmarth Transmission Line – Permit Process

4/11/2018 Commission Docket CN‐17‐184/TL‐17‐185 | https://mn.gov/puc 4

Application Filed & Accepted as Complete Scope of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Draft EIS developed and issued by DOC Contested Case Hearing Closed Final EIS Developed and Issued by DOC Report from the Administrative Law Judge Decision by the Public Utilities Commission Contested Case Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge Public Information & Environmental Scoping Meeting Public Meeting and Comment Period on Draft EIS Advisory Taskforce

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Huntley to Wilmarth Transmission Line – Certificate of Need Decision Factors

4/11/2018 Commission Docket CN‐17‐184/TL‐17‐185 | https://mn.gov/puc 5

In making a certificate of need decision, the Commission considers factors listed in statute.

  • Generally, factors include:
  • Relationship of the proposed line to regional energy needs;
  • Evaluation of possible alternatives for satisfying transmission needs;
  • Benefits of enhanced reliability, access, or deliverability and the extent these factors

increase the robustness of the transmission system or lower costs to Minnesotans and the region.

  • Minn. Stat. 216B.243, Subd. 3
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Huntley to Wilmarth Transmission Line – Route Permit Decision Factors

4/11/2018 Commission Docket CN‐17‐184/TL‐17‐185 | https://mn.gov/puc 6

In making a routing decision, the Commission considers factors listed in statute.

  • The Commission’s determinations are guided by the goal of conserving resources, minimizing

environmental impacts, minimizing human settlement and other land use conflicts, and ensuring the state's electric energy security through efficient, cost‐effective power supply and electric transmission infrastructure.

  • Generally, the statutory considerations include:
  • Effects on land, water, and air resources;
  • Public health and welfare;
  • Vegetation, animals, materials, aesthetic values, future expansion, economic impact, and,

irretrievable commitment of resources.

  • Minn. Stat. 216E.03, Subd. 7
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Huntley to Wilmarth Transmission Line – Project Timeline

4/11/2018 Commission Docket CN‐17‐184/TL‐17‐185 | https://mn.gov/puc 7

Action

  • Approx. Date

Certificate of Need and Route Permit Applications Filed January 2018 Application Accepted March 2018 Public Info. and EIS Scoping Meeting April 2018 Scope of EIS Determined June 2018 Draft EIS Developed and Issued October 2018 Public Meeting on Draft EIS November/December 2018 Hearing before ALJ / Public Hearing Q1 2019 Final EIS Issued Q1 2019 Report from the ALJ Q2 2019 Final Decision from PUC Q2 2019

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Huntley to Wilmarth Transmission Line – How to stay informed

4/11/2018 Commission Docket CN‐17‐184/TL‐17‐185 | https://mn.gov/puc 8

  • Department of Commerce Website: http://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities
  • Full Case Record: See all documents filed in these dockets via the Commission’s website –

http://mn.gov/puc, select Search eDockets, enter the year (17) and the docket number (184 or 185), and select Search.

  • Project Mailing List: Sign up to receive notices about project milestones and opportunities to

participate (meetings, comment periods, etc.). Contact docketing.puc@state.mn.us, 651‐201‐ 2204, with the docket numbers (17‐184 or 17‐185), your name, mailing address, and email address.

  • Subscribe to the Dockets: To receive email notifications when new documents are filed in the

project dockets, go to the Commission’s website, mn.gov/puc, select Subscribe, and follow the

  • prompts. *Note ‐ subscribing may result in a large number of emails.
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Thank You!

4/11/2018 Commission Docket CN‐17‐184/TL‐17‐185 | https://mn.gov/puc 9

Public Advisor Charley Bruce, publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us, 651‐201‐2251 or 1‐800‐657‐3782 Staff Analyst Tricia DeBleeckere, tricia.debleeckere@state.mn.us, 651‐201‐2254

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Huntley to Wilmarth Proposed 345 Kilovolt Transmission Line

April, 2018

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MISO Identified Project

  • Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
  • Regionally manages portions of North America’s electric grid
  • Dispatches most economical source of electricity if transfer capability allows
  • Future scenarios requires additional transmission to deliver low cost energy

Blue area is MISO territory

The project is needed to relieve congestion on the transmission grid in southern Minnesota that is inhibiting low‐cost electricity from generation facilities in the area, including wind farms, from reaching customers.

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Xcel / ITC Route Identification Process

Data driven approach

  • Routing criteria data (GIS mapping)
  • Field Work
  • Favor existing infrastructure

corridors

  • Stakeholder focus (agencies,

government and public)

– Gather data – Consult with stakeholders – Generate route options – Public meetings (spring/summer 2017) – Refine route options (Fall 2017)

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345kV Structure Examples

150 foot easement required

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Ray Kirsch, Environmental Review Manager Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Environmental Review and Analysis raymond.kirsch@state.mn.us Phone: 651‐539‐1841 Toll Free: 1‐800‐657‐3794

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Environmental Review

Department of Commerce Will Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Huntley to Wilmarth Project

  • Objective Analysis of the Project
  • Discuss and Analyze Potential Impacts
  • Identify Strategies to Avoid and Mitigate Impacts
  • Does not Advocate – Just the Facts
  • Goal = Informed Decision Making
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Environmental Review

What Should the Environmental Impact Statement Include?

  • The Environmental Impact Statement Will Address:
  • Certificate of Need
  • Route Permit
  • Scoping = Public Input on the “Table of Contents”
  • What Do We Need to Know to Make Informed

Decisions

  • Input from Citizens, Local Governments, and

Agencies

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Environmental Review

Scope of the Environmental Impact Statement

  • Human and Environmental Impacts
  • Strategies to Mitigate Impacts
  • Alternatives to the Proposed Project that Could

Mitigate Impacts

  • Size, Type, Timing
  • Alternatives to the Proposed Routes that Could

Mitigate Impacts

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Environmental Review

Alternative Routes Must:

  • Mitigate a Specific Impact(s)
  • Aesthetic Impact
  • Land Use Impact
  • Natural Resource Impact
  • Other
  • Be Specific and Identifiable
  • Meet the Stated Need for the

Project

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Comments

Comments on the Scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

  • Verbal Comments at Today’s Meeting
  • Complete and Submit a Comment Sheet
  • Comment On‐Line: http://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities
  • Mail, Fax, or Email a Comment:

Ray Kirsch Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East, Suite 280

  • St. Paul, MN 55101‐2198

fax: 651‐539‐0109 raymond.kirsch@state.mn.us

  • Comment Period Ends: May 18, 2018
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Comments

Commenting Etiquette

  • One Speaker at a Time
  • Please State and Spell Your Name for the Court

Reporter

  • Please Limit Comments to a Few Minutes
  • Maintain Respect for Others
  • Direct Your Comments / Questions to the Scope of

the EIS

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Comments

Scope of the Environmental Impact Statement

  • “Table of Contents”
  • What Do We Need to Know In Order to Make

Informed Decisions?

  • Human and Environmental Impacts
  • Strategies to Mitigate Impacts
  • Alternatives to the Proposed Project
  • Alternatives to the Proposed Routes