NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING MEETINGS Issued: October 10, 2023 In the matter of the Joint Application of Minnesota Power and Great River Energy for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit for an approximately 180-mile, double circuit 345 kV transmission line from Itasca County to Benton County, Minnesota (Northland Reliability Project) The Mint Public Usities Commission Commission and the Minnesota Department of Commerce Departmenthold public information and environmental assement scoping meetings on Minnesota Power and Great River Energy's certificate of IC and route permit (RP application for the tasca County to Benton County 345 transmission line project on the following date -PERSON MEETINGS 201 25 201 Puting WEBEX ONLINE MEETING My Ac Cose 2442 If you are joining the meeting Web and woulde to ask a question or make comment during the designated portion of the meeting, use the chat function to send a message to the meeting moderator. If you are joining the meeting by phone press on your phone when it is your fum to speak your line will be unmuted, and you will be able to ask questions and provide comments Additional information and instructions are available at hps://m.gov/pc/activities/meeting To find out if a meetings and to bad weather or other ca 1-855-751-6208 of 651-201-2213 or vist gospu MEETING INFORMATION Doors Open Doors will open one hour prior to each meeting Attendees will have an opportunity to review maps and materials for the project During this me comments made by attendees will become part of the record for Commission consideration only the attendees the commentin writing Forms will be available for th purpose Commission and Department stat well as staff from Great River Energy and Minnesota Power will be answer questions about the project and the process Public Meeting During the public meeting Commission and Department staff will make a presentation regarding the state's mental and penting process After the presentations and the opportunity to offer oral and comments into the record The same information will be presented at each meeting Each meeting will last unti everyone at the meeting has had an opportunity to Comments received at the meeting and What potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project should be Suded in the environmental assessment? Are there methods to minimize mogate of avoid these impacts that should be studied in the environmental assessment? Are there any alternative tou segments that should be studied to mitigate potential impacts associated with the proposed project Are there any unique characteristics of the proposed route or the project that should assessment for this project WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD Written comments will be accepted through November 22 2023. Please include the docket numbers in all communications (22 415 and 22-416 Focus your comments on information that be considered? Are there other ways to meet the stated need for the project of the proposed among different size or type of facility what atives to the project should be studied in the ensimental sessment) Comments may be submitted Email: Jim Sistemu Online: pgocommerce energy comment U.S. Mail: Jim Sullivan Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East Suite 280 SEP MN 55101 Important: Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission's website. except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The Commission and the Department do not edit or delete personal PROJECT DESCRIPTION Minnesota Power and Greater Energy fave submitted a certificate of need and route per appcation for an approximately 180-mile double circuit 345 kV transmission line from tasca County to Benton County Minnesota (Northland Reliability Project The project consists of two segments The first project segmentomofa approximately 140-le long double ce 345 Vansmission in connecting the Iron Range Substation near Grand Rapids, Minnesota to a new Cuyun Series Compensation Station neart the existing Benton County Substationne St Cloud Minnesota and 10 The second project segment places an existing 20-ml 210 Vine with a double Environmental Review M Department of Commerce Energy will have Environmental Review and Analysis wEERA) staff will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) for the project. The EA will analyze the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project and alternatives to the project, as well methods to mitigate potential impacts Public Hearing When the EAs complete and issued a public hearing will be held in the project are An Office of Administrative tearings administrative lew judge (AL) will REVIEW PROCESS The proposed Northund Project requires two approvals from the Commission -a certificate of need and aroute permit Minnesota Power and Great River Energy fied a combined certificate of need and route application with the Commission on August 4 2023. The Commission subsequently determined that the application was complete and initiated an environmental review and hearing process. This process will take about 12 months to complete culminating in Commission decisions on the CN and preside over the hearing at the hearing members of the public wave opportunity to make an oral presentation submit comments, and ask questions of the applicant and staff. The ALJ will use the EA the hearing transcripts, and the entire administrative record to write a report for the Commission that will include findings of fact conclusions of land Northland Reliability Project m Docket Numbers E015 ET2/CN-22-416 1015 ET2/TL-22-415 recommendations regarding the project Upon completion of the public hearing process, and after receiving the ALJ's report the Commission will make tral decisions on a certificate of need and route perm for the project expected in late 2024 If the Commissione a route permit Minnesota Power and Great River Energy may exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire land for this project pursuant to 1216.12 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Filing Requirements U telecommunications carriers officia parties and state agencies are required to fe documenting the Commission's electronic Ning system defingl Al parties participants and interested persons are encouraged to use eng mngoc edockets select Go to eDockets and follow the prompts Full Case Record. See all documents filed in this matter on the Commission's website at mn.gov/pucedockets, select Go to eDockets enter the year (22) and the docket numbers (416) for the certificate of need or 1415) for the route permitand select Search PROJECT CONTACTS Public Utilities Commission Craig Janezion Energy Faces Planner craignezichate musor 651-201-2205 Department of Commerce Jim Sullivan, Environmental Review Manager jimsuivantate no651-539-5059 Great River Energy 345 V line from the Benton County Substation to a new Xenergy igaks Substation near Monticello, Minnesota Dan Lesher Manager, Transmission Pemitting and Land Rights dergy.com 765-445-5975 Minnesota Power Apationally, the second segment will replacem an existing 20-mie 345 AV line from the Benton County substation to Xcel Energy's Anton Manager annanpower.com 218-355-356 Sherco Substanin Sherburne County using to enable you to fully participate in these If any reasonable accommodation is needed double circuit 345 KV structu meetings, please contact the Commission at 451-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance of the meeting To request this document in another format such as large print or audio call 653-296- 0405 Persons with a hearing or speech impairment may call using their predmed Telecommunications Relay Service or email consumer puc@state mn us for assistance Subscribe to the Docket. To receive al notation when new documents are filed in this matter visit https://www.edocketsstating select Subscribe to Dockets and follow the prompts Project Mailing List Sign up to receive notices about project milestones and opportunities to participate or change your maling preference Email docketing puc statemus or call Leesa Norton at 651-201- 2246 with the docker numbers (22-415 and 22-416 your name, maling address and email address Department of Commerce Project Website: https://web.commerce state mn/web/ 1514 Legend & NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING MEETINGS Issued : October 10 , 2023 In the matter of the Joint Application of Minnesota Power and Great River Energy for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit for an approximately 180 - mile , double circuit 345 kV transmission line from Itasca County to Benton County , Minnesota ( Northland Reliability Project ) The Mint Public Usities Commission Commission and the Minnesota Department of Commerce Departmenthold public information and environmental assement scoping meetings on Minnesota Power and Great River Energy's certificate of IC and route permit ( RP application for the tasca County to Benton County 345 transmission line project on the following date -PERSON MEETINGS 201 25 201 Puting WEBEX ONLINE MEETING My Ac Cose 2442 If you are joining the meeting Web and woulde to ask a question or make comment during the designated portion of the meeting , use the chat function to send a message to the meeting moderator . If you are joining the meeting by phone press on your phone when it is your fum to speak your line will be unmuted , and you will be able to ask questions and provide comments Additional information and instructions are available at hps : //m.gov/pc/activities/meeting To find out if a meetings and to bad weather or other ca 1-855-751-6208 of 651-201-2213 or vist gospu MEETING INFORMATION Doors Open Doors will open one hour prior to each meeting Attendees will have an opportunity to review maps and materials for the project During this me comments made by attendees will become part of the record for Commission consideration only the attendees the commentin writing Forms will be available for th purpose Commission and Department stat well as staff from Great River Energy and Minnesota Power will be answer questions about the project and the process Public Meeting During the public meeting Commission and Department staff will make a presentation regarding the state's mental and penting process After the presentations and the opportunity to offer oral and comments into the record The same information will be presented at each meeting Each meeting will last unti everyone at the meeting has had an opportunity to Comments received at the meeting and What potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project should be Suded in the environmental assessment ? Are there methods to minimize mogate of avoid these impacts that should be studied in the environmental assessment ? Are there any alternative tou segments that should be studied to mitigate potential impacts associated with the proposed project Are there any unique characteristics of the proposed route or the project that should assessment for this project WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD Written comments will be accepted through November 22 2023. Please include the docket numbers in all communications ( 22 415 and 22-416 Focus your comments on information that be considered ? Are there other ways to meet the stated need for the project of the proposed among different size or type of facility what atives to the project should be studied in the ensimental sessment ) Comments may be submitted Email : Jim Sistemu Online : pgocommerce energy comment U.S. Mail : Jim Sullivan Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East Suite 280 SEP MN 55101 Important : Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission's website . except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act . The Commission and the Department do not edit or delete personal PROJECT DESCRIPTION Minnesota Power and Greater Energy fave submitted a certificate of need and route per appcation for an approximately 180 - mile double circuit 345 kV transmission line from tasca County to Benton County Minnesota ( Northland Reliability Project The project consists of two segments The first project segmentomofa approximately 140 - le long double ce 345 Vansmission in connecting the Iron Range Substation near Grand Rapids , Minnesota to a new Cuyun Series Compensation Station neart the existing Benton County Substationne St Cloud Minnesota and 10 The second project segment places an existing 20 - ml 210 Vine with a double Environmental Review M Department of Commerce Energy will have Environmental Review and Analysis wEERA ) staff will prepare an environmental assessment ( EA ) for the project . The EA will analyze the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project and alternatives to the project , as well methods to mitigate potential impacts Public Hearing When the EAs complete and issued a public hearing will be held in the project are An Office of Administrative tearings administrative lew judge ( AL ) will REVIEW PROCESS The proposed Northund Project requires two approvals from the Commission -a certificate of need and aroute permit Minnesota Power and Great River Energy fied a combined certificate of need and route application with the Commission on August 4 2023. The Commission subsequently determined that the application was complete and initiated an environmental review and hearing process . This process will take about 12 months to complete culminating in Commission decisions on the CN and preside over the hearing at the hearing members of the public wave opportunity to make an oral presentation submit comments , and ask questions of the applicant and staff . The ALJ will use the EA the hearing transcripts , and the entire administrative record to write a report for the Commission that will include findings of fact conclusions of land Northland Reliability Project m Docket Numbers E015 ET2 / CN - 22-416 1015 ET2 / TL - 22-415 recommendations regarding the project Upon completion of the public hearing process , and after receiving the ALJ's report the Commission will make tral decisions on a certificate of need and route perm for the project expected in late 2024 If the Commissione a route permit Minnesota Power and Great River Energy may exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire land for this project pursuant to 1216.12 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Filing Requirements U telecommunications carriers officia parties and state agencies are required to fe documenting the Commission's electronic Ning system defingl Al parties participants and interested persons are encouraged to use eng mngoc edockets select Go to eDockets and follow the prompts Full Case Record . See all documents filed in this matter on the Commission's website at mn.gov/pucedockets , select Go to eDockets enter the year ( 22 ) and the docket numbers ( 416 ) for the certificate of need or 1415 ) for the route permitand select Search PROJECT CONTACTS Public Utilities Commission Craig Janezion Energy Faces Planner craignezichate musor 651-201-2205 Department of Commerce Jim Sullivan , Environmental Review Manager jimsuivantate no651-539-5059 Great River Energy 345 V line from the Benton County Substation to a new Xenergy igaks Substation near Monticello , Minnesota Dan Lesher Manager , Transmission Pemitting and Land Rights dergy.com 765-445-5975 Minnesota Power Apationally , the second segment will replacem an existing 20 - mie 345 AV line from the Benton County substation to Xcel Energy's Anton Manager annanpower.com 218-355-356 Sherco Substanin Sherburne County using to enable you to fully participate in these If any reasonable accommodation is needed double circuit 345 KV structu meetings , please contact the Commission at 451-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance of the meeting To request this document in another format such as large print or audio call 653-296 0405 Persons with a hearing or speech impairment may call using their predmed Telecommunications Relay Service or email consumer puc @ state mn us for assistance Subscribe to the Docket . To receive al notation when new documents are filed in this matter visit https : //www.edocketsstating select Subscribe to Dockets and follow the prompts Project Mailing List Sign up to receive notices about project milestones and opportunities to participate or change your maling preference Email docketing puc statemus or call Leesa Norton at 651-201 2246 with the docker numbers ( 22-415 and 22-416 your name , maling address and email address Department of Commerce Project Website : https : //web.commerce state mn / web / 1514 Legend &