Project segments
Four Segments, One Project
The project is organized into four segments between the existing Wilmarth Substation located in Mankato, Minnesota, and a connection point at the Mississippi River near Kellogg. The segments include both new and upgraded transmission lines. Explore our interactive map below, then learn about our Routing Process and Permitting Activities.
? Drop a pin to add a comment to this map or click on the segment to learn more.
Segment 1: Mankato to Faribault
Develop about 40 miles of 345 kV transmission lines in existing transmission corridors starting at the Wilmarth Substation in Mankato and the West Faribault Substation in Faribault.
Segment 2: Faribault to Pine Island
Develop about 35-40 miles of a new 345 kV transmission line in either a new corridor and/or in existing transmission corridors from near the West Faribault Substation to the North Rochester Substation near Pine Island.
Segment 3: Pine Island to Kellogg
Convert about 26 miles of 161 kV line to 345 kV line and install about 16 miles of new 345 kV line on existing structures between the North Rochester Substation and the Mississippi River.
Segment 4: Rochester Connector
Develop about 20 miles of a new single-circuit 161 kV line from the North Rochester Substation to an existing transmission line northeast of Rochester.
Routing Process
Our route selection process is a multi-step analysis that identifies route alternatives with minimal impacts to humans and the environment. The routing process generally includes:
Preliminary routes are evaluated to identify potential impacts, including proximity to homes, opportunities to share corridors (including roads and other transmission lines), impacts to agriculture, locations of protected lands and resources, aesthetics, and other concerns.
We will share the preliminary route options with landowners, members of the public, local governments, Tribes, and resource agencies for input and feedback. Join us at a public open house in May to provide input on the preliminary route options.
Once preliminary routes are identified, we gather input from the local landowners, government officials, Tribes, and state and federal agencies to help refine the routes. Your input about specific constraints or challenges on preliminary routes, or identification of alternative route opportunities, is especially helpful as we develop the project. This input will be incorporated into the refined routes, which will then undergo a more detailed analysis.
Refined route options will be presented during a future public outreach phase later this year. Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on project news and events.
All of the information we review and comments we receive will help identify the routes which we will propose as part of a Route Permit we will submit to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for review. Find out more in the Permitting Activities section below.
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Permitting Activities
Certificate of Need (CN)
We expect to apply for a combined CN and Route Permit Application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in late 2023. The CN application describes why the project is needed, identifies issues the project will resolve and contains additional information about engineering, operational details, environmental impacts and alternatives considered prior to submitting the application.
Learn MoreRoute Permit Application
We expect to apply for a Route Permit Application with the Minnesota PUC in late 2023. The Route Permit application includes information about each route option including construction, maintenance and operation considerations, land use considerations and other factors that were evaluated in developing the route. The Route Permit must be granted prior to construction.
Learn MoreUpcoming Events
The project team held public open house meetings in May 2023. The materials presented at those meetings are posted on our Events page.
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Download a project fact sheet and review frequently asked questions.
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