Southwest Minnesota Transmission Project 

Thanks to support from folks in Southwestern Minnesota, the state Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy’s $160 million proposal to build a series of new transmission lines in the region. All routing permits are in place and construction is under way. The new lines will help get the area’s wind generation crop “to market.”

As we explained during our Certificate of Need application process, currently there are about 450 wind turbines along the Buffalo Ridge, representing over 300 megawatts of generation capacity. And there’s the potential to significantly increase the current wind power output. However, the power lines carrying this electricity were designed and built decades ago and are at their limit. So, Xcel Energy plans to build four new transmission lines to increase the amount of wind power that can be generated in Southwestern Minnesota. A series of upgrades to existing lines also is in the works.

In addition to helping the growth of wind generation in the area, the improvements will strengthen the transmission system, and provide more reliable electrical service to local communities and rural cooperative customers. 

The projects

Here is a summary of the projects with updates.

• Lakefield Junction to Fox Lake: This 26-mile section of 161-kilovolt line was completed in fall 2006 and placed into service.  This line connects the Lakefield Junction substation in Jackson County with the Fox Lake Substation near Sherburn in Martin County.
• Split Rock to Lakefield Junction: This 86-mile section of 345-kilovolt line will connect Lakefield Junction substation in Minnesota with Split Rock substation near Sioux Falls, S.D.  The route for the transmission line will parallel Interstate-90 for the majority of its length, except for an area near Worthington, Minn., and near the Lakefield Junction substation.  Construction is scheduled to be complete from the new Nobles County substation to Lakefield Junction substation by the end of this year.  Construction from Nobles County substation to Split Rock substation is scheduled to be complete mid-2008.
• Nobles to Chanarambie: This new 40-mile 115-kilovolt line in Nobles and Murray counties will be tied into the new 345kv line at the new Nobles County substation and will connect to the new Fenton substation near Chandler, Minn., continuing on to the existing Chanarambie substation near Lake Wilson, Minn.  The approved route will parallel roads for the majority of its length.  Foundation work is complete on this line, and structure erection and conductor stringing is over 50 percent complete.  The work is scheduled for completion in fall 2008.
• Buffalo Ridge to White: A new 28-mile, 115-kilovolt line will connect the Buffalo Ridge substation, southeast of Lake Benton in Lincoln County, to a new Brookings County substation east of Brookings, S.D.  A new 345-kilovolt line will connect Brookings County substation to White substation.  Brookings County substation and White substation are adjacent to one another.
• Substations: The existing Buffalo Ridge substation will be expanded to accommodate a new ring bus and line terminations.  Two new substations, Yankee and Brookings County, will be located between existing substations Buffalo Ridge and White.
• Transmission Line Segments: The Buffalo Ridge to Yankee segment is expected to be complete in August 2007.  Yankee to Brookings County is scheduled to be completed by October 2007 and Brookings County to White by year-end.

There are several other projects included as part of this overall effort that can be seen on the combined fact sheet and map listed as item q 01 at the bottom of this page.

Property owners selected to host the new transmission line projects will be fairly compensated for the use of their land.  We will work directly with property owners to address their concerns.

Questions and Answers

Here are answers to some questions regarding the proposed transmission improvements.

Why does Xcel Energy need to make transmission improvements in this area?

In the case of Southwestern Minnesota, improved transmission lines are needed to support the area's growing electricity generation industry -- to get the area's newest "crop to market." Currently there are about 450 wind turbines along the Buffalo Ridge in Southwestern Minnesota, representing nearly 300 megawatts of generation capacity. And there's the potential to more than double the current wind power output from this region over the next 10 years. However, the power lines carrying this electricity were designed and built decades ago and are at their limit. Xcel Energy will be investing over $160 million in transmission improvements to support the development of additional wind power and other electric generation in Southwestern Minnesota.

Where will the new transmission lines be located?

Generally in an area between Lakefield, Minn., and Sioux Falls, S.D.; between Lake Benton and Brookings, S.D; in Nobles and Murray counties in Minnesota; and in an area in Lyon, Redwood and Brown counties. A broad overview can be found on the combined fact sheet and map listed as item q 01 at the bottom of this page.

What can landowners who host any new transmission lines expect in the form of compensation?

Xcel Energy will provide fair compensation in the form of easement payments to property owners that host power lines. Property owners may continue to use the land around transmission structures.

Will the new lines be safe?

Yes. Every effort is made to ensure safety in construction, operation and maintenance of transmission lines. Lines and line structures are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. Protective devices at line terminals stop the flow of electricity under any abnormal operating circumstances. Utility practices meet or exceed standards set by the national electric safety codes and safety codes adopted by local government.

What about EMF?

Electric and magnetic fields, called EMF for short, are created by anything that conducts electricity, including transmission lines, household appliances and business equipment. These fields are strongest closest to their source, so the farther you are away from the source, the amount of EMF reaching your body will be substantially less. Therefore, EMF exposure from transmission lines, which are high in the air, is minimal. And decades of scientific and medial research, reviewed by science organizations and government agencies, have found no evidence of threats to human health from EMF.

More information on EMF can be found under Community and Environment in the menu at left.

How can I be sure that these lines will carry only wind energy?

Due to the interconnectedness of the transmission system and the nature of electricity, which flows like water in a stream, it's nearly impossible to identify a specific source of electricity on the transmission grid. But Xcel Energy's proposed transmission improvements are in response to the growing amount of wind energy and other electric generation coming from Southwestern Minnesota.

What steps do you take to protect drain tile in farmers' fields during transmission line construction?

There is a significant amount of drainage tile in southwest Minnesota, so it is likely that Xcel Energy will encounter drain tile during the construction and maintenance of its transmission lines.  It will be difficult to avoid impacts to some of the tile given the amount of tile in the area and the limited mapping for some of the facilities.  Therefore, we can't guarantee that we won't affect some tile; however, the following items note our policy for dealing with this issue.

If we break it, we fix it.

• During the survey process, we will attempt to identify locations of tile along our project route and access points.
• During the line design process, we will work to avoid tile where possible.  If we cannot avoid the tile, we will relocate it for the landowner.
• During the construction process, we will work with the landowners to identify access roads to avoid impacting the tile.
• There may be instances after construction is complete that a landowner finds a problem with tile several years later.  We will work with that landowner to determine if our work caused the damage.  If so, we will repair the tile.
• There will be contractors building the project.  We will include information in the bid proposal to address the tile issues.  Here are a few contractor provisions:
• Contractors and subcontractors will be provided training on permit compliance issues and minimizing impacts to the tile will be one issue.
• Contractors will be responsible for repairing the tile as soon as they damage it, using the appropriate materials.
• Measures to reduce impacts during construction will include using identified access routes and mats to reduce the risk of compacting and crushing tile.
• Xcel Energy will work with the counties to identify their tile along the route and will strive to avoid it during construction.

Why don't you do annual payments for easements?

Xcel Energy can convert the one-time easement payment to annual payments for up to a 10-year period at 8 percent interest.  If you would like to pursue this option, please alert your land rights agent.  We do not make perpetual payments for the life of the transmission line.

Links to state agencies

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

Minnesota Environmental Quality Board

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission

Filing documents and other materials

Files below are coded according to when they were filed or released