Process for Certificate of Need application continues with hearing

A well-attended in-person public hearing on the Certificate of Need application filed by Great River Energy, ITC Midwest LLC and Xcel Energy for the proposed PowerOn Midwest Project was hosted Tuesday at the Worthington Event Center.

Among the proposed facilities in Minnesota include approximately 271 miles of new 765-kV single-circuit transmission lines from the South Dakota border connecting with the Lakefield Junction Substation in Jackson County, Pleasant Valley Substation in Mower County and North Rochester Substation in Goodhue County, with an additional connection from Lakefield Junction to the Iowa border. 

Tuesday's public hearing was one of many scheduled to take place along the potential route. Each of the hearings is being hosted by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The purpose of the hearings is to obtain public input and complete the record for the PUC to consider in making a final decision on the Certificate of Need application.

An online public hearing is also scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday and accessible by joining a WebEx webinar link. Written comments are also being accepted until 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7; visit mn.gov/puc/consumers/public-comments for more.

The Nobles County Board of Commissioners recently weighed in on the Certificate of Need matter. Commissioners voted 4-1 on Nov. 3 against a resolution illustrating a lack of local need regarding the PUC's pending decision.