CapX2020 Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse 345 kV project

	Project quick facts 345 kV line – about 125 miles 161 kV line – 15-18 miles Targeted in-service – 2013-2015 Minnesota route maps North Rochester-Chester 161 kV line route maps Wisconsin route maps Fact sheet Communications and public outreach

The Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse transmission line will improve reliability for the Twin Cities, Rochester and La Crosse areas, as well as improve access to generation in the south east part of Minnesota.

The double circuit capable 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line will run between a new substation near Hampton, Minnesota, the proposed North Rochester Substation between Zumbrota and Pine Island, Minnesota, and continue on to cross the Mississippi River near Alma, Wisconsin. A single circuit 345 kV line will be built in Wisconsin to a new substation in the La Crosse area. A new 161 kV line is proposed between the North Rochester Substation and the existing North Hills Substation in northwest Rochester.

Single pole steel structures will be used to reduce land impacts. Structures are between 140 and 170 tall and will be between 800 and 1,000 feet apart. Typically, a 150-foot right-of-way will be required.

Minnesota permitting

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission must grant two approvals before construction – a Certificate of Need and a Route Permit. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is written during routing.

• Certificate of Need application – filed August 16, 2007
• Certificate of Need application – granted May 22, 2009

• Certificate of Need application – filed August 16, 2007
• Route Permit application – filed January 19, 2010
  • Direct testimony:  Hillstrom    King    Stevenson
  • Judge's recommendation – issued February 8, 2012
  • Recommended route map
  • Cannon Falls area detailed map
  • Detailed route maps (PDF tile maps)
• EIS scoping decision – issued August 6, 2010
• Draft EIS – issued March 21, 2011
      Sections 1.0-7.1    Sections 8.0-8.1    Section 8.2    Sections 8.3-10.0
      Appendix A-part 1    Appendix A-part 2    Appendices B-K
• Final EIS – issued August 31, 2011
• Route maps (PDF tile maps)
• Route maps (Google Earth file; to download Google Earth, click here)
• Anticipated permitting schedule:
  • Administrative law judge recommendation – December 2011
  • Anticipated permitting schedule:
    • MN PUC decision – early spring 2012
      

North Rochester-Chester 161 kV Route Permit application

• Route Permit application – filed September 19, 2011
• Route maps
• Anticipated permitting schedule
  • MN PUC decision – late summer 2012
  • Information will be posted when scoping meetings and hearing dates are scheduled

Wisconsin permitting

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin must issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) prior to construction. The permit certifies the project need and designates a route.

• CPCN application – filed January 3, 2011
  • Application ruled complete – June 9, 2011
  • Comment period on CPCN application open through August 31, 2011
    
• Route maps
• Route maps (Google Earth file; to download, click here)
• Supplemental need informational report – August 2011
• Draft EIS – issued November 2011
• Final EIS – issued January 2012
  • Comments accepted through March 7, 2012
• Anticipated permitting dates (additional information will be posted when venues are set):
• Technical hearings – week of March 5, 2012 in Madison, Wisconsin
• Public hearings – March 13-14, 2012 in project area
• PSCW decision on or before June 4, 2012

Federal permitting

Rural Utilities Service, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture, is a federal financing agency that provides funding assistance to cooperatives for the installation and modernization of rural electric systems. In cooperation with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, RUS will prepare a federal EIS to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.

• RUS scoping report – published February 2010
• Alternative Evaluation Study
• Macro Corridor Study
• Draft EIS – issued December 16, 2011
  • Comments accepted through February 13, 2012
    
    Send comments to:
    Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist
    USDA, Rural Utilities Service
    1400 Independence Avenue SW
    Room 2244, Stop 1571
    Washington, D.C. 20250-1571
    stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov