Benton Solar Project
Project Details
Project Name
Benton Solar Project
Applicant
Benton Solar, LLC
Location
Benton County
Description
Benton Solar, LLC proposes to construct a 100 megawatt (MW) solar energy generating facility, a 100 MW battery energy storage system, and a 0.4 mile long, 115 kilovolt high voltage transmission line within Minden Township, Benton County, Minnesota.
Status
active
Project Contact
Project Summary
Benton Solar, LLC, a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, is requesting a site permit for the Benton County Solar Project, a 100 megawatt (MW) alternating current nameplate capacity solar energy conversion facility paired with a 100 MW battery energy storage system and associated facilities to be located in Minden Township, Benton County, Minnesota. The project will also include a 115 kilovolt, 0.4 mile long transmission line to deliver energy from the project to the electric grid.
Interactive Map
Key Project Documents
Date
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Title
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Description
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|---|---|---|
03/27/2025
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The Environmental Assessment Scoping Decision for the Benton Solar Project
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09/26/2024
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The route permit application for the Benton Solar Project transmission line in Benton County, Minnesota.
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09/26/2024
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The joint site permit application for the Benton Solar Project solar facility and battery energy storage in Benton County, Minnesota.
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07/24/2025
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Benton Solar Environmental Assessment
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08/04/2025
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Notice of Public Hearings
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11/13/2025
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Administrative Law Judge Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendation
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Docket Documents
View Project Documents (last 30) View All Project Documents
| Date | Document ID | On Behalf Of | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 17, 2025 | 202511-224978-01 | PUC | NOTICE OF COMMENT PERIOD ON INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT REPORT AND FOR ADDITIONAL RECORD DEVELOPMENT |
| November 10, 2025 | 202511-224821-01 | CAH | Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendation |
| November 7, 2025 | 202511-224791-01 | POWER Engineers | Independent reliability and cost review of GRE Proposed and Alternative B routes. |
| October 29, 2025 | 202510-224454-01 | PUC | September 4, 2025 Minutes |
| October 28, 2025 | 202510-224363-01 | PUC EIP | Notification of EA Appendix C Supplement Mailed to Public Library |
| October 28, 2025 | 202510-224338-01 | PUC EIP | Laketown Environmental Assessment Appendix C Supplement |
| October 22, 2025 | 202511-224632-01 | Shaddix & Associates - Stenographic Court Reporters | Prehearing held on 10-22-25 |
| October 22, 2025 | 202510-224203-01 | CAH | Third Prehearing Order |
| October 20, 2025 | 202510-224111-01 | PUC | Regarding compliance filing identifying an independent engineering consultant to analyze reliability concerns associated with the Laketown 115 kV Transmission Line Project. |
| October 16, 2025 | 202510-224008-01 | Great River Energy and Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative | Proposed Independent Selection and Scope |
| October 10, 2025 | 202510-223769-01 | CAH | Notice of and Order for Prehearing Conference |
| October 10, 2025 | 202510-223811-01 | CAH | Amended Notice of and Order for Prehearing Conference |
| October 10, 2025 | 202510-223802-02 | Benton Solar, LLC | Post-Hearing Reply Brief |
| October 10, 2025 | 202510-223802-01 | Benton Solar, LLC | Cover letter and Certificate of Service |
| October 10, 2025 | 202510-223815-02 | LIUNA Minnesota/North Dakota | Brief-FoF |
| October 10, 2025 | 202510-223816-02 | LIUNA Minnesota/North Dakota | Cover Letter |
| October 10, 2025 | 202510-223815-01 | LIUNA Minnesota/North Dakota | Cover |
| October 3, 2025 | 202510-223554-01 | PUC EIP | EIP Reply Comments of Proposed Findings of Fact |
| October 2, 2025 | 202510-223519-01 | PUC | ORDER ADOPTING ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE REPORT AS MODIFIED, REQUIRING ADDITIONAL RECORD DEVELOPMENT, AND REMANDING FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS |
| September 26, 2025 | 20259-223360-02 | Benton Solar, LLC | Response to Public Comments |
| September 26, 2025 | 20259-223360-03 | Benton Solar, LLC | Initial Post-Hearing Brief |
| September 26, 2025 | 20259-223360-04 | Benton Solar, LLC | Proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommendations |
| September 26, 2025 | 20259-223367-01 | LIUNA Minnesota/North Dakota | Benton Solar Initial Brief |
| September 26, 2025 | 20259-223367-02 | LIUNA Minnesota/North Dakota | Benton Solar Cover Letter - Initial Brief |
| September 26, 2025 | 20259-223360-01 | Benton Solar, LLC | Cover letter and Certificate of Service |
| September 16, 2025 | 20259-223051-01 | PUC EIP | Corrected - Hearing Comments |
| September 12, 2025 | 20259-222952-02 | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | Natural Heritage Review Report (Attachment 1/4) |
| September 12, 2025 | 20259-222958-01 | PUC EIP | Filed in Error - PUC EIP Public Hearing Comments |
| September 12, 2025 | 20259-222952-03 | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | Natural Heritage Review Letter (Attachment 2/4) |
| September 12, 2025 | 20259-222952-05 | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | Natural Heritage Review Letter (Attachment 4/4) |