Contact Information
Randy Fordice, Great River Energy
(o)763-445-5713
(c)612-865-1366
Mary Sandok, Xcel Energy
(o) 612-215-5329
(media line) 612-215-5300

April 16, 2009

CapX2020 Granted Certificate of Need for 345-kilovolt Projects in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission today granted the CapX2020 utilities a Certificate of Need to construct three 345-kilovolt electric transmission lines in Minnesota.

The decision confirms the need for a major upgrade of the region’s transmission system to meet customers’ growing demand for electricity and to increase access to new resources, including renewable energy in southern and western Minnesota and in North Dakota and South Dakota.

“The planning and regulatory review for high-voltage transmission lines is detailed, extensive and comprehensive,” said Laura McCarten of Xcel Energy, a CapX2020 co-leader. “The commission’s decision affirms the need for new infrastructure that will serve Minnesota customers with affordable, reliable electricity for years to come.”

The projects’ Certificate of Need application was filed in August 2007, starting a rigorous state review process that culminated in today’s decision. The three transmission lines approved today are:

• A 240-mile, 345-kilovolt line between Brookings County, S.D., and Hampton, Minn., plus a related 345-kilovolt line between Marshall and Granite Falls, Minn.;
• A 250-mile, 345-kilovolt line between Fargo, N.D., and Alexandria, St. Cloud and Monticello, Minn.;
• A 150-mile, 345-kilovolt line between Hampton, Rochester, Minn., and La Crosse, Wis.

Today’s decision concerned the need for the three lines. The commission has yet to decide on the lines’ routes. Route Permit applications currently are under state review or in development; decisions are expected in 2010. State review processes for a 230-kilovolt line between Bemidji and Grand Rapids are under way; decisions on its Certificate of Need and Route Permit are expected in 2009 and 2010, respectively.  The commission also included a condition regarding guaranteeing a portion of the capacity of the Brookings, SD-Hampton, Minn., line for renewable energy.

Similar regulatory processes will be pursued for segments of the three 345-kilovolt lines in Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. Permits in those states will be filed in 2009 with decisions expected in 2010. Federal permits will also be applied for in 2009.

Increasing customer demand for electricity spurred need for new infrastructure

The CapX2020 planning process began in 2004 when utility engineers identified problems meeting expected increases in customers’ electricity needs. Additionally, the lines will provide capacity for resources in transmission-constrained areas, particularly in southern and western Minnesota where new renewable generation is planned.

“Today’s decision provides direction for new transmission that will ensure customers in and near Minnesota will continue to receive reliable electricity and help provide capacity to meet the nation’s most aggressive renewable energy standard,” said Terry Grove of Great River Energy, a CapX2020 co-leader.

The conceptual plans identified in the 2004 studies underwent extensive analysis to ensure the four projects – the three 345-kilovolt projects and the 230-kilovolt project – would deliver reliable electricity and were appropriate investments for the utilities and their customers.

The CapX2020 organization was formed in 2005 to develop the new transmission lines. The planned 700 miles of electric lines is the largest development of new transmission in Minnesota in nearly 30 years, a period in which electricity demand has dramatically increased.

Along with Great River Energy, Elk River, Minn., and Xcel Energy, Minneapolis, utilities or groups that expect to participate in one or more of the CapX 2020 projects are: Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Blue Earth, Minn.; Dairyland Power Cooperative, La Crosse, Wis.; Minnesota Power, Duluth, Minn.; Minnkota Power Cooperative, Grand Forks, N.D.; Missouri River Energy Services, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Otter Tail Power Company, Fergus Falls, Minn.; Rochester Public Utilities, Rochester, Minn.; Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Rochester, Minn., and WPPI Energy, Sun Prairie, Wis.

The ruling by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will be posted on the CapX 2020 Web site at www.capx2020.com.

If you have seen the water in your toilet bowl bubbling, there is a logical explanation for this. Rochester Public Works is jetting the sewer system throughout town. When they are jetting the sewer, they shoot high pressure water through the sewer pipe which intersects some residential sewer services. That pressure can make the water in your toilet bowl bubble. The bubbling is not dangerous and is not harmful to your water service. If you have questions regarding the jetting of the sewer contact Rochester Public Works at 507-328-2400, or for questions on RPU water service call RPU at 507-280-1500.

April 6, 2009

The Association of Energy Services Professionals – Midwest Chapter (AESP) will conduct a free question and answer session on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 with U.S. Congressman Tim Walz and Jeff Haase who is Demand Efficiency Supervisor for the Office of Energy Security and Janet Streff who is Manager of the Minnesota State Energy Office.  

AESP president Jim Walters, Ed.D, CEM, said “We are thrilled to provide our members and guests with an opportunity to learn how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 may help their organizations secure funding for energy conservation and renewable generation plans.”

The event will take place at the Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) room HB117 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (RCTC Heintz Center is located at 1926 College View Rd. SE Rochester, MN  55904) and is open to the public and media.

There is room for approximately 80 people so please send your reservation to AESP Secretary Becky Wentler at Otter Tail Power Company at rwentler@otpco.com by Friday, April 10.

Officers

President – Jim Walters (Rochester Public Utilities) – jwalters@rpu.org

Secretary – Becky Wentler (Otter Tail Power) – rwentler@otpco.com

Treasurer – Kelly Lady (Austin Utilities) – kellyl@austinutilities.com

Board Members – Tom Balster (Alliant Energy) and Rob Scott-Hovland (Missouri River Energy)

About AESP-Midwest

The mission of the AESP-Midwest is to provide a forum for energy professionals from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota to acquire new ideas, form collaborations, and increase their energy service effectiveness for each of their organizations.

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Mark your calendars to come out and celebrate Arbor Day with RPU on Friday, April 24 at Central Park! There will be live music, free food, tree education, and free tree seedlings given away.

View all of the day’s events

RPU to make $5 million in budget cuts and deferrals

ROCHESTER, MN— Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) announces a proactive plan to make a combination of budget cuts and deferrals of approximately $5 million starting in early April. Components of this plan are to be presented at the March RPU Board Meeting on March 31.

RPU is proposing these cuts and deferrals to reduce upward pressure on rates and to greater ensure future budget balance. Approximately $2.9 million of the cuts and deferrals are capital and major projects. Other projects and work that can be scheduled out into a future year or can be accomplished through other means will be rescheduled or postponed. No staff reductions are being sought at this time.

Almost 60 percent of RPU’s budgeted expenses are wholesale power from Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency. For 2009, $91 million was budgeted for purchased power.

“The 2009 budget was developed and set in late 2008 during when the financial institutions were starting to collapse and on the leading edge of the current economic downturn. Since that time, the economy has continued to slow, along with a decline in wholesale markets and commodity sales. With anticipation of continued economic challenges, we are taking measures to remain fiscally sound in these uncertain times while maintaining a high level of reliable service,” said Larry Koshire, RPU General Manager.

RPU board meetings are open to the public and are held on the last Tuesday of each month at the RPU Service Center.

About Rochester Public Utilities

As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 110 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 47,000 customers.  Water customers number more than 36,000.  RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive.  Current initiatives include fuel cell research, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.

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