Great River Energy, wholesale electric supplier to Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, plans to rebuild approximately 27.6 miles of the existing DO and DL 69-kV overhead transmission lines in Mille Lacs and Aitkin counties, Minnesota. The Project is needed to maintain transmission system reliability and continue serving the electric power needs of Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative members.
Overview
The Project will rebuild the existing 69-kV DL transmission line north of the Spirit Lake Switch within existing easements, situated approximately 0.25 miles north of the intersection of 270th Street and 420th Avenue in Hazelton Township. From there, the rebuilt line will extend north approximately 1.9 miles along 420th Avenue and toward the Spirit Lake Substation in Farm Island Township. The rerouted 69-kV transmission line will then extend approximately 5.3 miles east along County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 28, then southeast approximately 6.8 miles along CSAH 12, 340th Avenue, and 270th Street before entering the existing Glen Substation in Malmo Township. The reroute will continue south from the Glen Substation along Trunk Highway 47 for approximately 2.9 miles before turning east along 240th Lane, where it will continue approximately 1.0 mile before reaching the existing DO 69-kV transmission line corridor. From there, approximately 9.7 miles of existing 69-kV transmission line will be rebuilt within existing easements heading south and west before re-terminating at the existing Opstead Substation, located southeast of the intersection of 475th Street and 40th Avenue in East Side Township.
In total, approximately 13.1 miles will be reconstructed within Great River Energy’s existing transmission line corridors, while approximately 14.5 miles will be rerouted along nearby road rights-of-way to improve maintenance response times.
Wood poles will primarily be used, although laminated wood and/or steel poles may be used where engineering design needs require.
The Project will include retirement of existing DO line structures 116-259 (Spirit Lake Switch to east of Glen Substation) and structures 262-303 (Glen Substation to intersection of 240th Lane and 310th Place). After construction is complete, the existing line will be removed.
Click to view Project fact sheet and map
Permits and Approvals
- Great River Energy will work with federal, state, county, township and local authorities to acquire approvals necessary to complete the work. Great River Energy will contact landowners along the proposed transmission-line route to discuss easement agreements, tree removal, construction access and practices, transmission line removal and restoration. All vegetation will be removed 50 feet on either side of the transmission line.