Monticello-St. Cloud 345 kV project

	Project quick facts 345 kV line – about 28 miles Targeted in-service – 2011 Route maps Project fact sheet Communications and public outreach

Construction of the Monticello-St. Cloud 345 kV transmission line started in fall 2010. The double circuit capable was energized and placed in service on December 21, 2011. See press release.

Single pole steel structures were predominantly used to reduce land impacts. Structures are between 140 feet and 170 feet tall and are 800 and 1,000 feet apart.

The Monticello-St. Cloud transmission line will improve regional reliability in north central Minnesota and the growing St. Cloud area.

Minnesota permitting

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission must grant two approvals before construction – a Certificate of Need and a Route Permit. An environmental report is prepared by the Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security during the need process, and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is written during routing.

• Route Permit application – filed April 8, 2009
  • Judge’s recommendation – issued May 18, 2010
  • MN PUC decision – granted July 8, 2010
  • MN PUC written order – issued July 12, 2010
    Part one   Part two   Part three   Part four
• EIS scoping decision – issued October 9, 2009
• Draft EIS – issued January, 2010
• Final EIS – issued March, 2010
• CapX2020 compliance filing for Monticello-St. Cloud project outlines capacity, owners and ownership structure – filed August 20, 2010
• Route maps
• Buy the Farm statute (Minn. Stat. 216E, Subd. 4)