Public Meeting Information

The purpose of the public meetings were to: (1) provide information about the proposed Project and the State’s Certificate of Need and Route Permit Amendment process; (2) allow attendees to ask questions of state staff and the Applicants; and (3) provide an opportunity to offer oral and written comment on the proposed project and on information provided in the Certificate of Need and Route Permit Amendment applications. For example, comments could include unique characteristics of the proposed Project that were overlooked or potential impacts that were not identified or that would benefit from additional information and evaluation.

• Comments received at the hearings and during the comment period will be used to inform the record and help the Commission make its final decision.
• The information presented will be the same at all in-person and online hearings.
• The hearings will end when all attendees have had the opportunity to comment and all other business has been concluded, or the scheduled end time of the hearing, whichever occurs first.
• Members of the public may participate without the necessity of intervening as a party; representation by legal counsel is permitted but not required.

Comment Period

Written comments were accepted through June 26, 2026, by 4:30 p.m. Comments received after the close of the comment period may or may not be considered by the Commission.

Topics for Comment

• Are there other ways to meet the stated need for the project, for example, a different size project or a different type of facility?
• What potential human and environmental impacts or unique characteristics of the proposed project require further evaluation in the Environmental Report?
• Are there any methods to minimize, mitigate, or avoid potential impacts of the proposed project that should be further evaluated?
• Are there other project-related issues or concerns?

Submit Comments
Online: mn.gov/puc/get-involved/public-comments
Email: jenna.ness@state.mn.us
U.S. Mail: Jenna Ness
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place East, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55101

Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission’s website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The Commission does not edit or delete personal identifying information from submissions.

Open Houses

Open houses were held in the project area for landowners, stakeholders and other interested parties to learn about the project and provide comments on the project’s Certificate of Need application, Route Permit Amendment application, Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity application, and Certificate of Corridor Compatibility amendment. Click here to view the full notice.

Public Meeting Information

Attendees had the opportunity to review maps and materials for the project and ask questions of the Applicants. Attendees were encouraged to submit comments in writing. Comment forms were made available for this purpose.

The purpose of the public meeting was to solicit comments, concerns, and input from residents, landowners, public officials, and other interested parties concerning the proposed project with reference to the transmission line route, the overall transmission line routing process, and to:

• Promote a better understanding of the proposed project, including the purpose, need, potential benefits and impacts, and the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity application review process.
• Inform the public regarding the routing procedure, schedule, and the regulatory process.
• Ensure that the regulatory process adequately identifies and considers the values and concerns of the public and community leaders.