Project Status: PLANNING
Strategic Purpose: Asset Reliability & Diversification
Project Contact: Email the project team
Related Resource(s): Project map
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.
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 Route Permit Application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the Wabasha Relocation Project. Minnesota law requires applicants to obtain a Route Permit from the PUC before a transmission line project can be built.
The PUC and Department of Commerce conducted a formal environmental review; public scoping meetings were held virtually on June 11, and in-person on June 12, 2024.
Following the scoping meetings, the Department of Commerce produced an Environmental Assessment. The Environmental Assessment was made available in January 2025. A public hearing before an Administrative Law Judge was held, where landowners could submit additional feedback regarding the Project. On Feb. 11-12, 2025, the Office of Administrative Hearings held in-person and virtual (via webinar) public hearings on the Route Permit application. Comments were accepted through March 4, 2025. And Administrative Law Judge will review the entire record and make a recommendation to the PUC. The PUC will then review Administrative Law Judge’s report, all public feedback, and the environmental analysis before issuing a final decision on the route, which is expected in 2025.
Regulatory Review Process
The public can receive digital project updates from the Public Utilities Commission by following the steps below:
- Go to https://mn.gov/puc/edockets/
- Click on “Go to eDockets” then click on “eFiling Home/Login” in the left menu.
- Select “Docket Number” from the Type of Subscriptions drop-down box.
- For the Route Permit docket, type in “23” from the first Docket number and enter a dash “-“ followed by “388” in the “Docket #’s” box before clicking on the “Add to List” button.
- View your preferred documents.
Regulatory Review Process – Email Subscription
The public can receive digital project updates from the Public Utilities Commission by following the steps below:
- Go to https://mn.gov/puc/edockets/
- Click on “Go to eDockets” then click on “eService” near the top of the page.
- Enter your email address and hit submit. You will receive an automated email to the address you entered.
- Click “manage subscriptions” within the email.
- Create an account by selecting “Register” or sign in if you already have an account.
- Once you arrive at your account homepage, select “Subscriptions”.
- Create a subscription to the Route Permit by typing in the Docket Number “23-388”, then select “Create”.
- You will now be subscribed to the docket.
OR
Contact:
Jim Sullivan |
Phone: 651.539.1059 |
Trevor Culbertson |
Phone: 651-201-2257 |
The Route Permit Application is available for viewing here.
Anticipated Schedule
2022
- Project identified by MISO
2023
- Route development process
- Public and stakeholder outreach
- Preliminary engineering
2024 – 2025
- Submit and obtain Route Permit Application (RPA)
- Land surveying and design
- Working with landowners to purchase easements
- Acquire additional permits
2026 – 2027
- Construction
2028
- In-service
- Project area restoration
*Schedule may be subject to change.
Project At A Glance |
|
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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 |