Rochester Public Utilities | Blog

Plans for $2 billion investment in MN’s electric grid

MEDIA ADVISORY:  August 2 event
Plans for $2 billion investment in MN’s electric grid

Transmission lines are the highways for our electric grid to deliver power to Minnesota homes and businesses. Minnesota is now moving forward to invest more than $2 billion in new transmission lines to expand our electric grid. This investment is part of $10 billion in new transmission lines planned for the Midwest under a coordinated effort by MISO (Mid-Continent Independent System Operator), which manages the regional electric grid for 15 Midwest and southern states, and Manitoba.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, which represents Minnesota consumers on energy issues, along with leaders from energy organizations developing the new transmission infrastructure, will explain more about this major infrastructure investment, which sets the path for the future of Minnesota’s energy.

Please join us at the Chester Substation, which will be part of the expansion.

TIME:   10 am, Tuesday, August 2

LOCATION:  Rochester Public Utilities – Chester substation 506  50th Ave SE, Rochester (link to map), RPU’s substation is along the transmission line proposed for southern MN (Wilmarth–North Rochester–Tremval line)

SPEAKERS:     

  • Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold
  • Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency CEO & Executive Director Dave Geschwind
  • Rochester Public Utilities General Manager Mark Kotschevar
  • LiUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America) Kevin Pranis
  • Xcel Energy Senior Vice President of Transmission Michael Lamb

Additional information: 

Rochester Public Utilities staff will provide media with an overview of how the substation is connected to a transmission line and distributes electrical power.

MISO transmission plan report:  See slide 7 for transmission lines planned in Minnesota

Infographic:  Understanding the Grid (U.S. DOE)

Media contacts: Mo Schriner, Minnesota Department of Commerce  mo.schriner@state.mn.us
Tony Benson, Rochester Public Utilities tbenson@rpu.org