Air Lake – Empire 115-kV Transmission Line Project

Existing 69-kilovolt (kV) and 115-kV transmission systems presently deliver electricity to much of the Farmington, Castle Rock and southern Lakeville areas. Dakota Electric Association, which receives the majority of its power supply from Great River Energy, serves the electric needs for much of the area. Xcel Energy also provides electricity to customers in these communities.

The existing 69-kV transmission system from the Pilot Knob Substation in Eagan to the Farmington Substation is at capacity during normal conditions. Any line failures that may occur in this area will provide further strain on reliability. This project will provide an additional 115-kV source into the area, boosting the electrical power grid. This will allow the Xcel Energy and Dakota Electric Association distribution systems to maintain adequate voltage and improve reliability to area customers.

Status

The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (MEQB) issued a route permit application for this project on February 22, 2005. Great River Energy and Xcel Energy propose to construct a total of 9.25 miles of 115-kV transmission line through Farmington and Empire Township and a 115-kV distribution substation at Vermillion River in Farmington, all in Dakota County. Construction is scheduled to begin late this year and extend through to the summer of 2006.

The City of Farmington and a Landowner group are appealing the route decision. They have concerns about two sections of the route on the GRE section of the transmission line. At this time we are proceeding with the project as planned.

Documents

Fact sheets, maps and other materials are available on the Great River Energy web site at http://www.greatriverenergy.com/projects/lines/ale/ale_transline.html.

The Route Permit, Environmental Assessment and other information on the project can be found on the MEQB web site at http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/Docket.html?Id=6237.