Project Status: PLANNING
Strategic Purpose: Asset Reliability & Diversification
Project Contact: Email the project team
Related Resource(s): Project map, project fact sheet
Wabasha Relocation Project
About
The Wabasha Relocation Project will relocate an existing electric transmission line that serves a critical role in providing reliable electric service to homes and businesses in southeast Minnesota. As a critical services provider, Dairyland Power Cooperative is relocating this existing transmission line to a new right-of-way.
Fact Sheet
Project Details
The Wabasha Relocation Project includes relocating 13.3 miles of 161-kilovolt (kV) transmission line between Plainview Township and Greenfield Township in Wabasha County, Minn. It also includes building a new substation near the city of Kellogg, Minn.
Current Project Status
In March 2024, Dairyland Power Cooperative filed a combined Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the Wabasha Relocation Project. Minnesota law requires applicants to obtain a Certificate of Need and Route Permit from the PUC before a transmission line project can be built.
The PUC and Department of Commerce conducted a formal review. The public scoping meetings were held virtually on June 11, and in-person on June 12, 2024.
Following the scoping meeting, the Department of Commerce will produce an Environmental Assessment. Once the Environmental Assessment is available, there will be a public hearing before an Administrative Law Judge where landowners can submit additional feedback regarding the Project. The PUC will review all public feedback and environmental analysis before issuing a final decision on the route, which is expected in 2025. The PUC will notify landowners when the public hearings are scheduled. The hearings will also be advertised in the local newspaper and posted on our website.
The Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application is available for viewing here.
Anticipated Schedule
2022
-
Project identified by MISO
2023
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Route development process
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Public and stakeholder outreach
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Preliminary engineering
2024 – 2025
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Submit combined Certificate of Need (CON) and Route Permit Application (RPA)
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Land surveying and design
-
Working with landowners to purchase easements
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Acquire additional permits
2026 – 2027
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Construction
2028
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In-service
-
Project area restoration
*Schedule may be subject to change.
Project At A Glance |
|
|---|---|
| County where facilities may be placed |
Wabasha, Minn. |
| Distribution Cooperative Service Territories |
|
| Line length |
13.3 miles 161 kV |
| Voltage |
161 kV |
| Estimated project cost | $27 million |
| End points |
Minnesota: A new 161/69 kV Substation that Dairyland will be constructing, located near the Mississippi River crossing by the Greenfield Township in Wabasha County, Minn. Minnesota: Wabaco Substation |
