Regulatory Process

Updated January 21, 2025

Follow the Proceedings

View filings and subscribe to the Project's dockets (Certificate of Need: 22-532 and Route Permit: 23-157) by signing up on the edockets website.

View the Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application

File Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application

On April 2, 2024, Xcel Energy filed a combined Certificate of Need and Route Permit application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), proposing two route options within each of the Mankato-Mississippi River Transmission Project's four segments.

MPUC Accepts Applications

On June 26, 2024, the MPUC issued an Order accepting the Applications as complete and providing procedural requirements, as well as notice of an Order for hearing. Read the Order.

The MPUC docket numbers are Certificate of Need: 22-532 and Route Permit: 23-157.

Public Scoping Meetings

Upon accepting the Applications as complete, the MPUC and Department of Commerce – Energy and Environmental Analysis (EERA) began the regulatory review process for the project. This process included a public comment period and public scoping meetings, during which landowners provided feedback on what issues and other potential routes should be considered as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that EERA is preparing for the project. Landowners and other stakeholders were able to offer alternative routes for further consideration.

On October 3, 2024, the MPUC determined the scope of the EIS that will be prepared for the project. As part of this EIS scoping decision, new route alternatives will be studied in addition to the routes proposed in the initial Route Permit Application. The MPUC considered comments submitted on the scope of the EIS as well as recommendations from EERA.

Read the Scoping Documents

Public Hearings

The project has been assigned to an Administrative Law Judge who will schedule public hearings throughout the project area. The hearings will allow for public testimony on the Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application, including the proposed routes and route alternatives. The hearings will include in-person and virtual options and are expected to be held in late May. We will work with the state of Minnesota to publicize the hearings to landowners and local officials.

Environmental Impact Statement

Draft EIS

EERA is expected to publish the EIS for the project in spring 2025. A comment period will then be opened for two months to accept comments on the Draft EIS. As part of the comment period, public hearings will be held in the middle of May 2025 for the public to have the opportunity to provide feedback on the Draft EIS. There will be in-person and virtual hearings. The locations, dates and times of the hearings have not been determined. We will post the public hearing schedule on the Events page after it has been finalized.

An evidentiary hearing will be held at the MPUC after the public hearings are completed. All public comments regarding the proposed project and the Draft EIS must be submitted to the MPUC two months after the EIS is published.

Final EIS

EERA will prepare and file the Final EIS for the project after the comment period closes and public and evidentiary hearings are completed. Additional public and other stakeholder comments on the adequacy of the EIS are due after the final EIS is filed. The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will prepare and file the ALJ Report, which will include findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations in late 2025.

MPUC Decision

The MPUC will review all information in the record, including the Application and other information submitted by Xcel Energy, the Draft and Final EIS documents, and comments and information provided by landowners, members of the public and other stakeholders. We anticipate the MPUC to make a final decision regarding the project in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Upcoming Events

In the coming months, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold public hearings as part of the route application review process.

View Events

Library & FAQs

Download a project fact sheet and review frequently asked questions.

View Library & FAQs