Mankato to Mississippi River Transmission Project
Project Details
Project Name
Mankato to Mississippi River Transmission Project
Applicant
Xcel Energy
Location
Blue Earth County, Dodge County, Goodhue County, Le Sueur County, Olmsted County, Rice County, Wabasha County, Waseca County
Description
Proposed construction and operation of approximately 130 miles of 345 kV transmission line from the Wilmarth Substation in Mankato, MN to the Mississippi River near Kellogg, MN. The project will also include the construction of new 161 kV transmission line, approximately 20 miles long from the existing North Rochester Substation near Pine Island, Minnesota to a connection point with an existing 161 kV Chester transmission line northeast of Rochester, Minnesota.
Status
active
Project Contact
Project Summary
This project includes the installation of an approximately 130-mile single circuit 345kV transmission line beginning at the existing Wilmarth Substation and running east to the Mississippi River near Kellogg.
The project is divided into the four segments:
- Segment 1: a new 48- to 54-mile 345-kV transmission line between the Wilmarth substation and a point near the West Faribault substation;
- Segment 2: a new 34- to 42-mile 345-kV transmission line from a point near the existing West Faribault substation to the existing North Rochester substation;
- Segment 3: conversion of 27 miles of existing 161/345-kV transmission line to 345-kV operation and installation of a new 16-mile 345-kV circuit on the existing 345-kV double-circuit capable structures between the existing North Rochester substation and the Mississippi River; and
- Segment 4: a new 19.6-to 23.7-mile 161-kV transmission line between the existing North Rochester substation and the existing 161-kV Chester line northeast of Rochester
Project background
The project was a part of the Tranche 1 portfolio approved by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO). The applicants state that the Project is needed to provide additional transmission capacity and to improve electric system reliability throughout the region to accommodate the addition of renewable resources.
Key Project Documents
| Date | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2025 | Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Comment Period | The Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Comment Period. |
| May 5, 2025 | Draft Environmental Impact Statement | A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been completed for the Mankato to Mississippi River Transmission (MMRT) Project. The DEIS has been developed to complete the environmental review and analysis of potential human and environmental impacts caused by the proposed MMRT Project and project alternatives carried forward in the EIS Scoping Decision. |
| December 10, 2024 | Notice of the EIS Scoping Decision | Notice of the EIS Scoping Decision |
| November 26, 2024 | Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Scoping Decision | EIS Scoping Decision document with all attachments |
| July 11, 2024 | Draft Scoping Decision Handout | This handout provides information on what the environmental impact statement (EIS) scoping decision will look like, and examples of what the scoping decision will contain. |
| July 11, 2024 | How to Suggest Alternative Transmission Lines Route | Informational document on submitting route alternatives during the EIS Scoping Comment Period. |
| July 11, 2024 | EIS Scoping Comment Form | The scoping comment form can be printed off, filled out, and mailed in to provide comments on the Mankato to Mississippi River Transmission Project. |
| June 26, 2024 | Joint Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application | Xcel Energy has submitted a combined Application to the Public Utilities Commission for a Certificate of Need and a Route Permit for the proposed Mankato to Mississippi River Transmission Project. |
| June 24, 2024 | Notice of Public Information Meetings and EIS Scoping Comment Period -- Mankato to Mississippi River Project | Take notice, the Public Utilities Commission and Department of Commerce will be holding Public Information Meetings and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping comment period for the Mankato to Mississippi River Transmission (MMRT) Project. Meetings will be held in person Monday, July 8, 2024, Tuesday, July 9, 2024, and Wednesday, July10, 2024. Virtual meetings will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Written public comments will be accepted through August 1, 2024. Please refer to the attached notice for details on meeting times and locations. |
Docket Documents
View Project Documents (last 30) View All Project Documents
| Date | Title | On Behalf Of | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 10, 2025 | 20258-221937-01 | PUC | Dale Thomforde |
| August 7, 2025 | 20258-221863-01 | Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy | Evidentiary Hearing – Master Exhibit List |
| August 5, 2025 | 20258-221770-01 | Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy | Affidavit of Mailing Copies of Transcripts for Public and Evidentiary Hearings to Libraries |
| August 1, 2025 | 20258-221686-01 | Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy | Xcel Energy's Proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendations |
| August 1, 2025 | 20258-221682-01 | Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy | Response to Public Comments |
| August 1, 2025 | 20258-221687-01 | Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy | Xcel Energy’s Post-Hearing Brief |
| August 1, 2025 | 20258-221684-01 | Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy | Filing Letter, Certificate of Service, and Service List for Post-Hearing Brief and Proposed Findings |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221376-22 | PUC | FEIS - Map 13 Segment 1 Detailed Map Book - Part 10 |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221382-08 | PUC | FEIS - Map 26 Segment 2 Detailed Map Book Part 3 |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221376-13 | PUC | FEIS - Map 13 Segment 1 Detailed Map Book - Part 1 |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221384-13 | PUC | FEIS - Map 66 Segment 4 Detailed Map Book Part 8 |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221376-06 | PUC | FEIS - Map 6 Segment 3 ROW Sharing and Paralleling |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221384-20 | PUC | FEIS - Map 73 Segment 4 Wildlife Resources |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221376-19 | PUC | FEIS - Map 13 Segment 1 Detailed Map Book - Part 7 |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221382-07 | PUC | FEIS - Map 26 Segment 2 Detailed Map Book Part 2 |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221382-16 | PUC | FEIS - Map 30 Segment 2 Cultural Resources |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221369-01 | PUC | Final Environmental Impact Statement - Narrative |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221383-09 | PUC | FEIS - Map 56 Segment 3 Prime Farmland |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221375-11 | PUC | Appendix J - Agricultural Impact Mitigation Plan |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221382-40 | PUC | FEIS - Map 46 Route Segment 17 (Highway 14 Option) Wildlife Resources |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221375-06 | PUC | Appendix F - MnDOT Correspondence |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221383-03 | PUC | FEIS - Map 50 Segment 3 Recreation Resources |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221375-08 | PUC | Appendix H - Sample Route Permit |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221383-05 | PUC | FEIS - Map 52 Segment 3 Existing Infrastructure |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221375-10 | PUC | Appendix J - Electric and Magnetic Fields Supplement |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221383-07 | PUC | FEIS - Map 54 Segment 3 Zoning |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221375-13 | PUC | Appendix M - Threatened and Endangered Species |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221383-06 | PUC | FEIS - Map 53 Segment 3 Detailed Map Book |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221376-33 | PUC | FEIS - Map 20 Segment 1 Wildlife Resources |
| July 24, 2025 | 20257-221384-12 | PUC | FEIS - Map 66 Segment 4 Detailed Map Book Part 7 |