NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT Re: Notice of Minnesota Power and Great River Energy Filing of Route Permit Application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for the Northland Reliability Project 345 kV Transmission Line PROJECT NEED AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Project is needed to maintain tamission system reliability and optimize goal transfer capability as coal-fired generation ceases operations in northern Minnesota and significant renewable generation comes online in the upper Midwest The Project was studied reviewed and approved as part of the Long Range Transmission Plan Tranche 1 Portfolio by the Midcontinent independent System Operator the regional transmission operator in July 2022 The Applicants propose a route that is located along existing high-voltage transmission lines for more than 65 percent of its length Locating the Project along existing transmission line rights of way minimizes the potential impact of the Project PLEASE TAKE NOTICEt Minnesota Power and Great River Energy the Applicants filed a combined Certificate of Need and Route Permit application Application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Commission in August 2023, for the Northland Reliability Project Project). This notice provides information on the Project and the routing process, as well as how to register your name with the Commission on the Project contact list Adding your name to the Project contact list with the Commission will ensure that you receive future notices about the Project Figure The Project consists of two major segments El Segment construction of a new approximately 140-mile long double- circut $45 kovo (kon ne connecting the existing on Range Substation a new Cuyuna s Compensation Station described below. and the existing Benton County Substation and 123 Segment 2 replacement of two existing high-voltage transmission lines all Replace an approximately 20-mile 250 w line with two 545 KV circuits from the Benton County Substation to the new Xcel Energy Big Oak Substation along existing high voltage transmission right-of-way on double-crt345 KV structures and Replace an approximately 20-mile 345 kv ne from the Benton County Substation to the existing Xcel Energy Sherco Substation in Sherburne County along existing high voltage transmission right-of-way using double-circut 345 kV souctures The Project will also involve the following improvements to the power grid [1] Expansion of the existing Iron Range Substation located near Grand Rapids, and expansion of the existing Benton County Substation, located near St. Cloud and rerouting existing transmission lines at the Iron Range Substation and Benton County Substation and 123 Construction of a new Cuyuna series Compensation Station near the existing Riverton Substation and rerouting an existing transmission line in the Riverton area CERTIFICATE OF NEED AND ROUTE PERMIT PROCESS for the Project, the Commission must determine whether the Project is needed Certificate of Need and where the Project should be located (Route Permit On August 4, 2023, the Applicants filed a combined Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application for the Project with the Commission The combined Application can be obtained by visiting the Commission's website at https://mn gov/puc/in Docket No. 015112/CN-22-416 Certificate of Need and Docket No. E015 ET2/TL-22-415 Route Per Before the Project can be constructed the Commission must first certify that the Project is needed. The certification of the Project is governed by Minnesota law, including Minn Stat 12168 243, and Minn R Ch 7829 and 7849-specifically Minn R. 7849 0010 to 7849 0400 and 78491000 to 78492100 in the Certificate of Need proceeding the Commission will analyze whether what the Applicants have proposed is needed and it so the most appropriate size, type and timing for the Project of the application feedback received from the public and other stakeholders a report from an administrative law judge and environmental review performed by the Department of Commerce Energy Environmental Review and Analysis ERA The routing of the Project is governed by Minnesota la including the Power Plant Sting Act Minn Stat 215E and Minn R Ch 7850. The Route Pe application will be considered under the alternative permitting processin Mnn Stat 1216 04 and MR. 78501000 to 7850 5600. The Commission has up to six months from the time the Route Pent application is accepted to complete its process and make a decision according to Minn Stat 1216 04, subd7 and Minn R. 7850 3900 subp 1. After the Commission accepts the Route Permit application as complete the Commission and EERA staff will jointly hold public information and scoping meetings to provide information and seek public comment on the scope of 117. The process of exercising the power of eminent domain is called condemnation PROJECT MAILING LIST AND CONTACTS To ensure you receive written notices of the Project milestones regarding the environmental review process, public meetings, public hearings, and comment periods, please sign up for the Project contact list for the Route Permit In addition to certifying the Project is needed if you would like to have your name added to the Commission must also grant a Route Permilhote Permit maling is call 651-296-040611-800-657-3782) or send an for Project As part the Perm process, the Commission determines the final email to consumer pucestate mnus if you route of the transmission ne based on smaltopas However to the extent practicable the new double circut 345 Vansmission line in Segment will be collocated with existing high- voltage transmission lines or other rights-of-way thereby facilitating the partial sharing of right-of- way and lessening the overall casement required from landowners for the Project Segment 2 is intended to primarily follow the existing centerline of the high-voltage transmission lines with the majority of the new line utilizing the existing right of way, except in a few instances The Applicants typically will acquire these property rights through an easement that parcel If the Applicants and the landowner are will be negotiated with the landowner for each unable to negotiate an easement for the right of way the Applicants will acquire real property nights through exercise of the power of eminent domain pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 524-24 0045 mal regular mail or email and (2) the docket number (CN-22-416 or TL-22-415 your name, and your complete mailing address or email address. If you have questions about the state regulatory process, you may contact the Minnesota state regulatory staff listed below MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Crag Jach 2150 Mit C Northland Reliability Project www.go MPUC Docket No. E015.ET2/TL-22-415 A Public Library 101 Av SACALLE the Environmental Assessment (EA) that will be prepared for the Project Atthisscoping meeting and throughout a comment period after the scoping meeting EERA will gather information from stakeholders on potential impacts and mitigation measures that should be evaluated in the EA EERA will recommend to the Commission those impacts and alternatives that it believes should be evaluated mitigation measures including routes and routery Grand RMN SS in the EA EERA will issue a Scoping Decision that identifies the impacts and migation measures to be evaluated in the EA 4065 Cooperativ AMN In addition to an EA, a public hearing on the Project will be held. The public will be invited to make comments on the Project at this hearing before an administrative law judge Anyone may speak at the public hearing present documentary evidence, ask questions of the Applicants and EERA statt, and submit written comments After the hearing a period during which stakeholders can provide written comments on the Project will be provided. It is anticipated that the administrative law judge will prepare a report summarizing comments During an open meeting the Commission will 664 received during the above-described processary deliberate and make a final decision as to the Certificate of Need and the Route Permit for the Project using the criteria set forth in Minn Stat $216 245 (Certificate of Need and Minn Stat 1 216 04, subd8 and Minn R. 7850 4100 Route Permit and stakeholder input received during the regulatory process to guide its decision Before beginning construction the Applicants will acquire property rights for the transmission line The Project requires a 150-foot-wide right- of-way 25 feet on each side of the centerne you have addicional questions about the Project, you may contact the Applicants at Emal connect@northlandreliabilityproject.com Phone: (2181864-6059 Foly Creat Regionary 2514 Ave N COPIES OF THE APPLICATION The Application and Project information are available online at mn gow/puc/edockets/and searching by the Docket No. TL-22-415. A copy of the Application is also available electronically at www.northlandreliabilityproject.com and at the following public locations Public Library 640 Energy MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE EERA 149 Pace 1855-41 1400-457-30 Mode 125-Lake Cy See 30 Malay M Le Falls Gr Regary 106 5 SM Le Fats 5634 Sou Con 250 SAN Skap MN 56579 Crow Wing Power 150 S Becker Creative Regional Library 11500 Sherbe A Deck 55306 Jbi Phil Den compati NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT Re : Notice of Minnesota Power and Great River Energy Filing of Route Permit Application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for the Northland Reliability Project 345 kV Transmission Line PROJECT NEED AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Project is needed to maintain tamission system reliability and optimize goal transfer capability as coal - fired generation ceases operations in northern Minnesota and significant renewable generation comes online in the upper Midwest The Project was studied reviewed and approved as part of the Long Range Transmission Plan Tranche 1 Portfolio by the Midcontinent independent System Operator the regional transmission operator in July 2022 The Applicants propose a route that is located along existing high - voltage transmission lines for more than 65 percent of its length Locating the Project along existing transmission line rights of way minimizes the potential impact of the Project PLEASE TAKE NOTICEt Minnesota Power and Great River Energy the Applicants filed a combined Certificate of Need and Route Permit application Application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Commission in August 2023 , for the Northland Reliability Project Project ) . This notice provides information on the Project and the routing process , as well as how to register your name with the Commission on the Project contact list Adding your name to the Project contact list with the Commission will ensure that you receive future notices about the Project Figure The Project consists of two major segments El Segment construction of a new approximately 140 - mile long double circut $ 45 kovo ( kon ne connecting the existing on Range Substation a new Cuyuna s Compensation Station described below . and the existing Benton County Substation and 123 Segment 2 replacement of two existing high - voltage transmission lines all Replace an approximately 20 - mile 250 w line with two 545 KV circuits from the Benton County Substation to the new Xcel Energy Big Oak Substation along existing high voltage transmission right - of - way on double - crt345 KV structures and Replace an approximately 20 - mile 345 kv ne from the Benton County Substation to the existing Xcel Energy Sherco Substation in Sherburne County along existing high voltage transmission right - of - way using double - circut 345 kV souctures The Project will also involve the following improvements to the power grid [ 1 ] Expansion of the existing Iron Range Substation located near Grand Rapids , and expansion of the existing Benton County Substation , located near St. Cloud and rerouting existing transmission lines at the Iron Range Substation and Benton County Substation and 123 Construction of a new Cuyuna series Compensation Station near the existing Riverton Substation and rerouting an existing transmission line in the Riverton area CERTIFICATE OF NEED AND ROUTE PERMIT PROCESS for the Project , the Commission must determine whether the Project is needed Certificate of Need and where the Project should be located ( Route Permit On August 4 , 2023 , the Applicants filed a combined Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application for the Project with the Commission The combined Application can be obtained by visiting the Commission's website at https : // mn gov / puc / in Docket No. 015112 / CN - 22-416 Certificate of Need and Docket No. E015 ET2 / TL - 22-415 Route Per Before the Project can be constructed the Commission must first certify that the Project is needed . The certification of the Project is governed by Minnesota law , including Minn Stat 12168 243 , and Minn R Ch 7829 and 7849 - specifically Minn R. 7849 0010 to 7849 0400 and 78491000 to 78492100 in the Certificate of Need proceeding the Commission will analyze whether what the Applicants have proposed is needed and it so the most appropriate size , type and timing for the Project of the application feedback received from the public and other stakeholders a report from an administrative law judge and environmental review performed by the Department of Commerce Energy Environmental Review and Analysis ERA The routing of the Project is governed by Minnesota la including the Power Plant Sting Act Minn Stat 215E and Minn R Ch 7850. The Route Pe application will be considered under the alternative permitting processin Mnn Stat 1216 04 and MR . 78501000 to 7850 5600. The Commission has up to six months from the time the Route Pent application is accepted to complete its process and make a decision according to Minn Stat 1216 04 , subd7 and Minn R. 7850 3900 subp 1 . After the Commission accepts the Route Permit application as complete the Commission and EERA staff will jointly hold public information and scoping meetings to provide information and seek public comment on the scope of 117. The process of exercising the power of eminent domain is called condemnation PROJECT MAILING LIST AND CONTACTS To ensure you receive written notices of the Project milestones regarding the environmental review process , public meetings , public hearings , and comment periods , please sign up for the Project contact list for the Route Permit In addition to certifying the Project is needed if you would like to have your name added to the Commission must also grant a Route Permilhote Permit maling is call 651-296-040611-800-657-3782 ) or send an for Project As part the Perm process , the Commission determines the final email to consumer pucestate mnus if you route of the transmission ne based on smaltopas However to the extent practicable the new double circut 345 Vansmission line in Segment will be collocated with existing high voltage transmission lines or other rights - of - way thereby facilitating the partial sharing of right - of way and lessening the overall casement required from landowners for the Project Segment 2 is intended to primarily follow the existing centerline of the high - voltage transmission lines with the majority of the new line utilizing the existing right of way , except in a few instances The Applicants typically will acquire these property rights through an easement that parcel If the Applicants and the landowner are will be negotiated with the landowner for each unable to negotiate an easement for the right of way the Applicants will acquire real property nights through exercise of the power of eminent domain pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 524-24 0045 mal regular mail or email and ( 2 ) the docket number ( CN - 22-416 or TL - 22-415 your name , and your complete mailing address or email address . If you have questions about the state regulatory process , you may contact the Minnesota state regulatory staff listed below MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Crag Jach 2150 Mit C Northland Reliability Project www.go MPUC Docket No. E015.ET2 / TL - 22-415 A Public Library 101 Av SACALLE the Environmental Assessment ( EA ) that will be prepared for the Project Atthisscoping meeting and throughout a comment period after the scoping meeting EERA will gather information from stakeholders on potential impacts and mitigation measures that should be evaluated in the EA EERA will recommend to the Commission those impacts and alternatives that it believes should be evaluated mitigation measures including routes and routery Grand RMN SS in the EA EERA will issue a Scoping Decision that identifies the impacts and migation measures to be evaluated in the EA 4065 Cooperativ AMN In addition to an EA , a public hearing on the Project will be held . The public will be invited to make comments on the Project at this hearing before an administrative law judge Anyone may speak at the public hearing present documentary evidence , ask questions of the Applicants and EERA statt , and submit written comments After the hearing a period during which stakeholders can provide written comments on the Project will be provided . It is anticipated that the administrative law judge will prepare a report summarizing comments During an open meeting the Commission will 664 received during the above - described processary deliberate and make a final decision as to the Certificate of Need and the Route Permit for the Project using the criteria set forth in Minn Stat $ 216 245 ( Certificate of Need and Minn Stat 1 216 04 , subd8 and Minn R. 7850 4100 Route Permit and stakeholder input received during the regulatory process to guide its decision Before beginning construction the Applicants will acquire property rights for the transmission line The Project requires a 150 - foot - wide right of - way 25 feet on each side of the centerne you have addicional questions about the Project , you may contact the Applicants at Emal connect@northlandreliabilityproject.com Phone : ( 2181864-6059 Foly Creat Regionary 2514 Ave N COPIES OF THE APPLICATION The Application and Project information are available online at mn gow / puc / edockets / and searching by the Docket No. TL - 22-415 . A copy of the Application is also available electronically at www.northlandreliabilityproject.com and at the following public locations Public Library 640 Energy MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE EERA 149 Pace 1855-41 1400-457-30 Mode 125 - Lake Cy See 30 Malay M Le Falls Gr Regary 106 5 SM Le Fats 5634 Sou Con 250 SAN Skap MN 56579 Crow Wing Power 150 S Becker Creative Regional Library 11500 Sherbe A Deck 55306 Jbi Phil Den compati