Plum Creek Wind Farm 345 kV Transmission Line
Project Details
Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC proposes to construct a 414 megawatt (MW) wind farm and associated transmission line in Cottonwood, Murray, and Redwood County, Minnesota. The transmission line is proposed to be a 345 kilovolt (kV) line, with a length of approximately 31 miles.
Project Contact
Project Summary
Please Note: The Department maintains the Plum Creek Wind Farm webpage as the primary page for project updates. The most current information on both the wind farm and transmission elements of the Plum Creek Wind Project can be found on the wind farm webpage.
Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC (applicant), proposes to construct approximately 31 miles of 345 kV transmission line (HVTL) in Cottonwood, Murray, and Redwood County, Minnesota. The proposed transmission line will connect the applicant's Plum Creek Wind Farm to the electric transmission grid. The transmission line will interconnect with the existing Brookings County to Hampton 345 kV line via a switching station in Redwood County.
Key Project Documents
| Date | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| November 12, 2019 | Route Permit Application | The route permit application submitted by Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC, for the 345 kV transmission line associated with the Plum Creek Wind Farm. |
Environmental Review and Permitting Process
The applicant's proposed project requires three approvals from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) before it may be constructed - a certificate of need (CN), a site permit for the wind farm, and a route permit for the 345 kV transmission line.
Department of Commerce, Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA) staff will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project. The EIS will be issued in draft form, a draft EIS, so that it can be improved through public comment. A final EIS will be developed based on comments received on the draft EIS.
Additionally, public hearings will be held in the project area. The hearings will be presided over by an administrative law judge (ALJ) from the Office of Administrative Hearings. At the public hearings, citizens will have an opportunity to submit comments, present evidence, and ask questions. After completion of the hearings, the ALJ will submit a report to the Commission with findings of facts, conclusions of law, and recommendations regarding a CN, site permit, and route permit for the project.
Please Note: Updates on the environmental review and permitting process for the Plum Creek Wind Project -- the wind farm and the associated transmission line -- can be found the Plum Creek Wind Farm webpage.
Additional information on the certificate of need application and review process for the project can be found on the eDockets website: CN-18-699.