Snowshoe Energy Storage Project
Project Details
Snowshoe BESS, LLC proposes to construct and operate a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a nominal power rating of up to 150 megawatts (MW) alternating current (AC) with approximately 600 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy capacity on a site of approximately 28 acres in Kalmar Township, Olmsted County, Minnesota.
Project Contact
Project Summary
On October 7, 2024, Snowshoe BESS, LLC filed a site permit application to construct and operate an up to 150 megawatt (MW) energy storage facility in Olmsted County, Minnesota.
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Latest News
The Department issued an environmental assessment (EA) for the project on April 9, 2025. The purpose of the EA is to provide information on the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, possible mitigations for identified impacts, and evaluation of any alternatives contained in the scoping decision.
The Commission will hold public hearings on Snowshoe BESS's application for a site permit.
In-Person Hearings will be held on April 23, 2025 at the Somerby Golf Club, 975 Somerby Parkway N.E. in Byron. There will be an open house from 5 to 6 pm and the public hearing will be held at 6 pm.
An online hearing via WebEx will be held on April 24, 2025 at 6 pm.
Written comments will be accepted through May 8, 2025.
Key Project Documents
| Date | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 04/09/2025 | Notice of Public Hearings and Availability of Environmental Assessment - Snowshoe Energy Storage Project | The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold public hearings for the proposed Snowshoe Energy Storage Project on April 23 and 24, 2025. The hearing on April 23 will be in-person at 6 pm at the Somerby Golf Club in Byron Minnesota. The hearing on April 24 will be held online at 6 pm. Public comments will be accepted through May 8, 2025. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has prepared an environmental assessment for the project. |
| 04/09/2025 | Environmental Assessment for Snowshoe Energy Storage System | Environmental Assessment for the proposed Snowshoe Energy Storage Project. |
| 01/13/2025 | Snowshoe BESS Notice and Order for Prehearing Conference | Notice of a pre-hearing conference to be held January 29, 2025. |
| 01/13/2025 | Snowshoe BESS EA Scoping Decision | Scoping Decision identifying issues to be studied and timeframe for completion of environmental assessment (EA). |
| 12/05/2024 | Notice of Public Information and Environmental Assessment Scoping Meetings | The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and the Minnesota Department of Commerce will hold two public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings for the Snowshoe Energy Storage Project in Olmsted County, MN. The first meeting will be held in-person starting at 6:00 PM on Monday, December 9, 2024 at the Somerby Golf Club, 975 Somerby Parkway NE, Byron, MN. The second meeting will be held virtually starting at 6:00 PM on Thursday, December 12. 2024. Details on how to join the virtual meeting can be found in the notice. Written public comments on the environmental assessment will be accepted through December 30, 2024. |
| 11/01/2024 | Snowshoe Energy Storage - Site Permit Application |
Docket Documents
View Project Documents (last 30) View All Project Documents
| Date | Document ID | On Behalf Of | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 22, 2025 | 20259-223194-01 | PUC | ORDER ADOPTING ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE REPORT, DETERMINING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ADEQUATE, AND ISSUING SITE PERMIT |
| August 13, 2025 | 20258-222016-01 | PUC | August 14, 2025 Agenda, Final Revised Staff Briefing Papers |
| August 12, 2025 | 20258-221993-01 | PUC | August 14, 2025, Revised Staff Briefing Papers - FILED IN ERROR |
| August 11, 2025 | 20258-221969-01 | PUC | August 14, 2025 Agenda, New Decision Option & Motion-Commissioner Tuma |
| August 8, 2025 | 20258-221912-01 | PUC | August 14, 2025 Agenda - Revised |
| August 7, 2025 | 20258-221880-02 | PUC | August 14, 2025 Agenda, Proposed Permit |
| August 7, 2025 | 20258-221880-01 | PUC | August 14, 2025 Agenda |
| August 1, 2025 | 20257-221548-01 | PUC | August 14, 2025 Agenda Meeting |
| August 1, 2025 | 20258-221683-01 | Snowshoe BESS, LLC | 2025-08-01 Snowshoe BESS Exceptions to ALJ Report |
| July 23, 2025 | 20257-221320-01 | PUC EIP | EIP Staff Exceptions to ALJ Report |
| July 9, 2025 | 20257-220774-01 | OAH | Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendation |
| July 9, 2025 | 20257-220799-01 | PUC | Notice of Legislative Changes |
| June 6, 2025 | 20256-219661-01 | DOC - EERA | EERA Reply Comments and Response to Applicant's Proposed Findings of Facts |
| May 23, 2025 | 20255-219232-01 | Snowshoe BESS, LLC | 2025-05-23 Snowshoe BESS_Response to Public Hearing Comments |
| May 23, 2025 | 20255-219234-02 | Snowshoe BESS, LLC | Snowshoe BESS_ LLC Proposed FOF_ Conclusions of Law |
| May 23, 2025 | 20255-219234-03 | Snowshoe BESS, LLC | Snowshoe Final Master Exhibit List |
| May 23, 2025 | 20255-219234-01 | Snowshoe BESS, LLC | Spearmint Snowshoe BESS_FOF Filing Letter |
| May 8, 2025 | 20255-218707-01 | Snowshoe BESS, LLC | Snowshoe BESS_Affidavit of Publication_Notice of Public Hearings and EA.pdf |
| May 8, 2025 | 20255-218718-01 | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | |
| May 8, 2025 | 20255-218709-01 | Minnesota Department of Agriculture | |
| May 8, 2025 | 20255-218729-01 | Minnesota Interagency Vegetation Management Planning Working Group | Hearing Comments |
| May 8, 2025 | 20255-218706-01 | DOC - EERA | EERA Hearing Comments |
| May 8, 2025 | 20255-218718-02 | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | Natural Heritage Review Letter |
| May 5, 2025 | 20255-218603-01 | DOC EERA | Matt Grant |
| April 28, 2025 | 20254-218212-01 | PUC | Public Hearing Presentation |
| April 24, 2025 | 20255-219043-03 | Shaddix & Associates - Stenographic Court Reporters | Virtual Public Hearing - 4-24-25 |
| April 23, 2025 | 20255-219043-02 | Shaddix & Associates - Stenographic Court Reporters | Byron Public Hearing Sign-In Sheets 4-23-25 |
| April 23, 2025 | 20255-219043-01 | Shaddix & Associates - Stenographic Court Reporters | Public Hearing - Byron - 4-23-25 |
| April 15, 2025 | 20254-217717-02 | Snowshoe BESS, LLC | Mary Matze Direct Testimony with Attachments |
| April 15, 2025 | 20254-217694-01 | PUC | EQB-Notice of Public Hearing and Availability of EA |