Mankato-Mississippi River Transmission Project

The Mankato-Mississippi River Transmission Project includes about 120 miles of 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines between the existing Wilmarth Substation near Mankato, Minnesota, and a connection point at the Mississippi River near Kellogg. It also includes building about 20 miles of new 161 kV transmission lines between the existing North Rochester Substation near Pine Island, Minnesota, and an existing transmission line northeast of Rochester, which is being relocated from its existing alignment to install the new 345 kV infrastructure.

The project includes four segments:

• Segment 1: Mankato to Faribault (345 kV) - Develop about 40 miles of new 345 kV transmission lines in existing transmission corridors between the Wilmarth Substation near Mankato and the West Faribault Substation in Faribault.
• Segment 2: Faribault to North Rochester Substation (345 kV) - Develop about 35-40 miles of 345 kV transmission lines 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: North Rochester Substation to the Mississippi River (345 kV) - 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: North Rochester Substation to Chester Junction (161 kV) - 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.

The Mankato-Mississippi River Transmission Line Project is part of a portfolio of long-range electric transmission projects identified by the regional grid operator, MISO, to improve reliability, relieve capacity on the grid as electricity use increases and more renewable energy is needed for customers, create more system resiliency during extreme weather and support adding new low-cost, renewable energy in Minnesota and throughout the Midwest.

This project, along with a portfolio of other projects in the region, will strengthen the overall backbone of the transmission grid, ensuring customers receive the electricity they need to power their homes and businesses.

This project will provide several benefits in southern Minnesota and throughout the Upper Midwest:

• Adding transmission capacity to accommodate delivery of increasing amounts of renewable energy generation as aging traditional generation resources retire.
• Increasing the reliability and resilience of the Upper Midwest energy grid by developing new high-voltage connections to key substations that serve customers throughout southern Minnesota.
• Enabling greater access to low-cost renewable energy.
• Upgrading and updating infrastructure supports the ability for companies in the region to thrive and grow when there is access to reliable, resilient power.
• Hiring local construction workers and companies, when possible, for construction services, including cement, concrete, equipment rentals and related services. Similar projects have shown that hundreds of workers and companies participate in these projects, providing benefits to the local economy.
• Building new transmission lines encourages construction of wind and solar power to bring more low-cost renewable electricity to help meet the electric needs of our state. These projects provide construction jobs, lease revenue for farmers and increased tax base to support communities.

• 2022:
  • Project identified by MISO
• 2023:
  • Planning
  • Route development process begins
  • Public and stakeholder engagement
  • Preliminary engineering
• 2024-2026:
  • Minnesota permitting review (including public engagement)
  • Detailed engineering
  • Negotiate with landowners to purchase easements
  • Obtain other required permits
  • Continued public and stakeholder engagement
  • Submit Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application
• 2026-2028:
  • Construction
• 2028:
  • In-service
  • Restoration

We expect to begin construction in 2026 with completion in 2028.

MISO, which stands for Midcontinent Independent System Operator, is an independent, not-for-profit, member-based organization that operates the regional electricity grid. The project partners are members of MISO. MISO identified this project as part of Long-Range Transmission Planning efforts to improve reliability, enhance resiliency and support bringing on more low-cost renewable energy.

Xcel Energy, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Rochester Public Utilities and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency are developing this project to serve southern Minnesota.

• Xcel Energy will develop and own the infrastructure between the Wilmarth Substation near Mankato and the North Rochester substation near Pine Island (Segments 1 and 2).
• All project partners will participate in the additional 345 kV infrastructure from the North Rochester Substation to the Mississippi River (Segment 3) and the 161 kV line from Pine Island to the Rochester area (Segment 4).
• The permits for Segments 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be submitted in one Certificate of Need and Route Permit.
• Dairyland Power will develop a related segment, the relocation of an existing 161 kV line east of Plainview, which will be permitted separately from this project.

No. Power lines, including high-voltage transmission and lower-voltage power lines serving neighborhoods, produce EMF just like household appliances and office equipment, such as toasters, hair dryers, computers and lamps. Since the 1970s, a large amount of scientific research has been conducted on EMF and health. This large body of research has been reviewed by many leading public health agencies such as the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the World Health Organization (WHO), among others. These reviews do not show that exposure to electric power EMF causes or contributes to adverse health effects.

The following are links to more information and studies on EMF:

• The National Institute of Environmental Health Services (NIEHS) offers information on a variety of EMF topics. In June of 2002 they prepared EMF: Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power, Questions and Answers. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/emf/index.cfm.
• American Cancer Society: Power Lines, Electrical Devices and Extremely Low Frequency Radiation:
• Public Service Commission of Wisconsin: Electric & Magnetic Fields
• Minnesota Public Utilities Commission: A White Paper on Electric and Magnetic Field (EMF) Policy and Mitigation Options

Transmission lines are built and maintained to meet or exceed safety standards, such as those specified by the National Electrical Safety Code and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. Every effort is made to ensure safety in construction, operation and maintenance of transmission lines. For information on safe distances for specific activities near any power line, contact the utility operating the line directly. Transmission lines and line infrastructure are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. Protective devices at line terminals stop the electricity flow under abnormal operating circumstances.

All power lines in our system are monitored 24/7 for line contact—meaning an object comes in contact with the transmission line conductors. If there is an unanticipated event in the line, the line is de-energized to protect the public and the line from operating under unsafe conditions. While designing the line, we follow national design standards to ensure the lines are robust and can withstand several extenuating circumstances.

• Xcel Energy follows strict transmission line maintenance standards. We regularly inspect lines by ground (usually during fall or winter months) and by air to look for: non-compatible vegetation within the right of way
• Equipment needing repair or replacement
• Right-of-way encroachments, which can be hazardous to safety and reliable operation

Anything that might jeopardize safe, reliable operation of the line. Utilities must visit the right-of-way for these inspections, but visits may be minimal, and landowners will be contacted prior to maintenance. In cases of emergency, advance contact may not be possible.

We are proposing to use single-pole structures. Some poles that are built on angles or where the route turns (called dead-end structures) may be two poles located side by side with a slightly larger foundation.

In general, the poles will have cross arms (called davit arms) on each side of the pole, three conductor wires (the double-circuit design means one transmission 'circuit' will be on either side of the pole) and a shield wire installed on top to protect the infrastructure from lightning strikes, helping to maintain a reliable electric system.

We'll continue to share more details as they become available, and we complete more engineering activities.

The distance between transmission poles, or span lengths, varies and is based on voltage and pole height. For the 345 kV segments the spacing will typically be between 800-1,200 feet, and for the 161 kV typical span lengths are between 300-500 feet, but this could vary based on final locations and engineering.

A transmission line delivers power over long distances and at higher voltages. A transmission line connects to a substation where the voltage is then reduced to a lower distribution level. The lower voltage is then sent to a distribution line, which is designed to bring energy to homes and businesses.

An easement is a permanent right authorizing a person or party to use the land or property of another for a particular purpose. In this case, an energy provider acquires certain rights to build and maintain a transmission line. Landowners are paid a fair price for the easement and can continue to use the land for most purposes, although some restrictions are included in the agreement. An easement is the legal document that must be signed by the landowner before the utility can proceed.

Easement rights allow for access, surveying, construction, operation and maintenance of a transmission line. Easements also include the right to clear, trim and remove vegetation and trees, as well as tall and dangerously leaning trees adjacent to the easement area that may threaten the line if they fall.

A right-of-way is the actual land area acquired for a specific purpose, such as a transmission line, roadway or other infrastructure. Land within the right-of-way may be used for any purpose that does not interfere with the construction, operation or maintenance of the transmission line. In agricultural areas, the land may be used for crop production and pasture. In areas where the land will be developed, streets, lawn extensions, underground utilities, curbs and gutters, etc., may cross the right-of-way with prior written permission from the energy provider.

Landowners typically receive a one-time payment for the fair market value of the easement based on the appraised land value. Landowners can also elect to spread the payment out over time.

Landowners are also eligible for reasonable compensation for property damage that may occur when the transmission line is constructed and during future repair and maintenance. Those issues are addressed in easement documents.

An Xcel Energy right-of-way representative will begin the negotiation process by presenting legal documents to the property owner. They will also provide maps of the line route or site, maps showing the landowner's property and an offer of compensation for the easement. The landowner will be provided with a reasonable amount of time to consider the offer and to present material to Xcel Energy that the property owner believes is relevant to deciding the value of the property.

This project will have a safe working and operating environment, and we will ensure safety and compliance with our internal and electrical code standards. This will require us to clear the full right-of-way. We will work with property owners to locate the line on their property to limit tree removal as much as possible. Trees growing near power lines will be pruned and removed as needed to avoid potential safety hazards. Tree pruning is the selective removal of branches that are too close to power lines or will grow too close to the lines before the next maintenance cycle. Our goal is to provide safe, reliable service while also taking the best possible care of your community's natural resources.

The life of a transmission project depends on a lot of factors, primarily how it's maintained. The initial installation of a transmission line typically lasts from 50-80 years, but many can last 100 years depending on weather conditions and maintenance.

Will there be staging areas for construction materials?

There are typically staging areas and laydown yards every 20-30 miles along the transmission line route. Staging areas tend to be 10-20 acres in size and we will work with the community and landowners to find good locations.

Our route selection process was a multi-step analysis that identified route alternatives with minimal impacts to humans and the environment. Preliminary routes were 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.

Once preliminary routes were identified, we gathered input from the public, local governments, Tribes and resource agencies to help refine the preliminary routes. Your feedback about specific constraints or challenges on preliminary routes, or identification of alternative route opportunities, was especially helpful as we developed the project. This feedback was considered in the preliminary routes, which then underwent a more detailed comparative analysis. This informed the selection of proposed routes which were submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in our Route Permit application in April 2024.

We need to receive a Certificate of Need and a Route Permit from the PUC for the project. The Certificate of Need proceeding determines whether the Project is needed and the Route Permit determines where the Project should be built. We filed a combined Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application in April 2024.

A Certificate of Need application describes why the project is needed, the issues building it will solve, and includes details such as engineering, operational details, environmental impacts and alternatives that were considered before submitting the application.

A Route Permit application includes proposed routes for the new transmission line. In Minnesota, the law requires that for this type of project, we propose at least two feasible proposed routes for the PUC to consider. The Route Permit application will also include significant information about each route option, including construction, maintenance and operations considerations, the land use considerations that went into developing the route, and other factors that were evaluated.

The Certificate of Need and Route Permit process will include public meetings and hearings held throughout the project area. We will host public meetings to collect feedback and answer questions about the process and project. Public hearings will be hosted by the PUC for landowners and interested parties to make public comments about the project.

Landowners, local officials and other stakeholders can also submit written comments to the PUC.

Following this process, the PUC will then hold a public meeting to deliberate and decide on the Certificate of Need and Route Permit. We anticipate a decision from the PUC in 2024 or 2025.

The best way to be involved in this process is to attend public open houses, public meetings and hearings, and sign up for emails from us.

We held open houses in 2023 to ask for feedback from stakeholders and the public. View meeting materials.

Join our mailing list to stay up to date on project news and events.

Sign up for updates