Great River Energy, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, City of Litchfield and Hutchinson Municipal Utilities, are proposing to construct approximately 70 miles of 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line between Willmar, Litchfield, Forest City, and Hutchinson Minn. (Project). A Certificate of Need and Route Permit will be required from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) before the line can be built.
Existing transmission lines were constructed in the 1950s and need replacement. The project will also enhance reliability and allow for additional load growth throughout the project area and beyond.
Approximately 50 miles of the proposed route will overtake and replace existing 69-kV transmission lines with the new 115-kV transmission line. Approximately 20 miles of the new 115-kV transmission line will be constructed in new right-of-way.
The new transmission line will be constructed primarily with direct-embedded steel and wood poles, 70 to 90 feet above ground, generally 350 to 400 feet apart. Line angles and changes in direction might require the support of guy wires and anchors or steel poles on concrete foundations. A final design will determine the span distances and need for specialty poles.
Permits and Approvals
- Construction of the Project cannot begin until the MPUC issues a Certificate of Need and a Route Permit. An environmental assessment will be prepared as part of the application. The MPUC will hold public meetings and hearings as part of their review, and interested parties are welcome to provide comments and input throughout the permitting process. The utilities involved in the project will work with county, state and federal agencies to secure road crossing permits and any other required environmental or construction permits.