PUC To Take Decision On Minnesota's CapX 2020 Powerline Project

Published: 15-Apr-2009

By: Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will take a decision this week regarding a request for authorization from a consortium of energy firms for the CapX 2020 powerline project which involves construction of 600 miles of powerlines throughout the Minnesota state, media reported. The project is part of an initiative to upgrade Minnesota’s transmission system, which would involve costs of $2 billion to finish.

The consortium alleges that Minnesota's power grid cannot sufficiently supply the state's power requirements, and seeks to construct big transmission lines alongside populated parts in the state.

The project involves construction of transmission lines that would pass through three corridors including a 150 mile line from Hampton south to Rochester and east to La Crosse, Wisconsin, a 345 kilovolt, 250 mile line from Fargo, North Dakota till Monitcello, Minnesota and a 200 mile line of the equivalent size from Brookings, South Dakota, to Hampton, Minnesota close to the twin cities. That line also covers a segment from Marshall, Minnesota till Granite Falls, Minnesota.

Near to Rochester, two extra 161 kV lines would also be constructed.

The PUC will listen to arguments on the case today and tomorrow.

The utilities in the CapX 2020 consortium are Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Xcel Energy, Rochester Public Utilities, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Missouri River Energy Services and Wisconsin Public Power.

ITC Holdings Group based in Michigan aspires to construct a chain of 765 kV transmission lines through seven states, including Minnesota.

Another project recently planned by Xcel Energy would renovate a power line from Granite Falls till Shakopee from the present 230 kV line to a double-circuit 345 kV. These lines proposal would be in addition to the CapX 2020 project.

Tell your friend about this article