NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT Re: in the Matter of the Application for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit for the Northland Reliability Project MPUC Docket Nos. 1015, ET2/CN-22-416 and E015, ET2/TL-22-415 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Minnesota Power and Great River Energy (also the "Applicants") are applying to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit for the Northland Reliability Project for "Project PROJECT DESCRIPTION Great River Energy and Minnesota Power are proposing to construct the Northland Relaty Project The Project consists of two major segments Segment construction of a new approximately 140-mile long double-cut 345 volt (KV) sansmission in connecting the ngon Range Substation a new Cuyuna Series Compensation Station described below and the existing Beton County Substation and 23 Segment 2 replacement of two existing Mansmissionin al Replace approximately 20-mile 250 kV line with two 545 from the Benton County Substation to the new Big Oaks Substation along existing transmission corridors on double-circuit 345 V structures (please note that the Big Oaks Substation will be permitted as part of a separate project and more information on that project is valable in MPUC Docket Nos E012 ET2 E002 ETO 015/CN-22-558 and 1002 ET2 ET10, 2015, 1017/TL-23-158, and Replace an approximately 20-mile 345 Vine from the Benton County Substation to the existing Sherco Substation in Serb County along existing transmission corridons using double-circuit 345 kV structures The Project will also involve the following improvements to the power grid Expansion of the existing on Range Substation located near Grand Rapids and expansion of the existing Benton County Substation located near St. Cloud and reconfiguring existing transmission lines at the fron Range and Benton County substations and 12 Construction of a new Cuguna Series Compensation Station near the existing Riverton Substation and rerouting an existing trainin in the Riverton area The Project is scheduled to be placed in service in 2030. REGULATORY REVIEW PROCESS Before the Applicants can construct the Project the Commission must determine whether the Project is needed (Certificate of Need and will determine the route along which the Project will be built Route Perm section 2168 245, and Mine Chapter 7849, specifically Rules parts 7849.0010 to 7849 0400 and 7849100007649.2000 A copy of the Certificate of Need application once submitted can be obtained by visiting PROJECT NEED The Project was studied reviewed and approved as part of the Long Range Transmission anche 1 Portfolio by the continent Independent System Operator, Incs (MISOS Board of Directors in July 2022 as part of its annual M50 Transmission Expansion Plan 2021 (MTEP21 report. The Project will ensure that the power grid in northern and central Minnesota continues to operate safety and reliably as energy resources in Minnesota and the regional power system continue to evolve As generation resources shift from fossil fuel to more renewables, the Project is one part of the solution to provide system support as fossil-fueled baseload generation is retired (2) enhance system resiliency during extreme weather events such as during polar v events (3) faciat increased capacity to and energy from where it is produced to where it is needed by customers and members, particularly during the winter season and plan proactively to meeting changing customer and member power needs due to decarbonization and electification mening and commen fan in Figure 1 CUYUNA SERIES COMPENSATION STATION Brain App and mengand Cence of dando Commons PUC Docket No. 015 ET2/L-22-415 The Applicants will be submitting an application for a Route Permit with a proposed route for the new 145 kV transmission line Other routes can be proposed to be evaluated during the Route Permit proceeding Routes that have been shown at public meetings are preliminary and subject to change BENTON COUNTY SUSTATION Suree Citt& The Commission will not make its determinations on the Certificate of Need or Route Permit un it has completed through review process that needed and is needed, which route should be approved Selection of a final route by the Commission will be based on an evaluation of the routes guided by the factors denied in les part 78504100, and stakeholder input Minnesota Statues section 216E05 Minnesota received during the regulatory process The table below provides a high-level summary of the major steps in the regulatory process SUMMARY OF REGULATORY SCHEDULE ACTION s0RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR THE PROJECT SHERCO SUBSTATION APPROXIMATE DATE www.g 2021 201 public and Informational and Song Ming F/W2023 2924 Spany 2024 In addition to certifying the need for the Project the Commission must also grant a Route Pe for the Project before it may be constructed The routing of the Project is governed by Minnesotais process along with land userland cover law, including Minnesota Statutes Chapter topography waterwetands and soll types 2166 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 4400 and Our current structure design is about 120-10 7850 A copy of the Route Pet appction once submitted can be obtained by visiting the 180-foot high single pole steel structures with ams on both sides of the structure. For this type of structure, the Applicants anticipate having the to eight structures for each mile of the line ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND MAILING LISTS Zimm Lefe GARS Northland Reliability Project HAR SUBSTATION SHERCO sustation Before beginning construction, the Applicants will acquire property rights for the right of you have questions about the state regulatory The Certificate of Need process is governed by way tycally through an easement that will be process, you may contact the Minnesota state Minnesota la including Minnesota for parcel The Applicants anticipate acquiring casements with a minimum right-of-way of approximately 150-teer wide for the 345 kv transmission lines Where these transmission is pr the lines less new right of way may be required because the new transmission line may share00-45-32 portion of the existing night-of-way PROPOSED STRUCTURES FOR THE PROJECT The specific type and size of structures to be used will depend on the routes identified in SURATION but at the bottom of the page to con your subscription to the Projects Certificate of Need docket (22-4561 These same steps can be followed to subscribe to the Project's Route Permit docket 122-4351 If you would like to have your name added to the Project Route Penit proceeding mang t IMPUC Docke No 005 ET2/TL-22-4151 you may register by contacting the public advisor in the consumer affairs office at the Commission at consumer pucemus or 1651 294- 04061-800-657-3782 Please be sure to note: how you would like to receive notices Pregular mail or email and 2) your complete mang or email address. You may also find information about the Project on the Department of Commerce's webpage at http://apps commerce staten usea/web/page/home by clicking Transmission Lines and locating the Project in the list. Please be aware that the Project may not be listed at this location the Route Permit application is submitted A separate mailing list is maintained for the Certificate of Need proceeding. To be placed on the Project Certificate of Need mailing list IMPUC Docket No. 005. ET2/CN-22-416, mat faxr email Robin Benson at Minnesota Public Uti Commission 1217 Place E. Suite 350 St Pau MN 55101-2547 Fax 651-297-7073 or robin besonatemus Com C Kirch 121 Pace ES 350 5 Pace Eat Sun 20 P 15:00 3294-7 comm Please visit the Project website at: www.northlandreliabilityproject.com for more information Project phone and e-mail addresses are Project Phone Number-216) 664-6059 Project e-mail address connect@northlandreliabilityproject.com TRANSMISSION PLANNING PROCESS IN MINNESOTA docket and to receive email notifications when To subscribe to the Projects Certificate of Need Minnesota Statutes section 256 2425 information is fed in that docket, please visit www.mn.govic, click on 'Doct click on "Go to eDockets which is located in approximately the middle of the page and then click on "efling Home/Login' in the left encourages public involvement and analys the impacts of the Project and various route alternatives. This process includes preparation of an Environmental Report on the Project by the Minnesota Department of Commerces Energy menu. Then click on the Subscribe to Dockets button, enter your email address and select Docket Number from the Type of Subscription" dropdown box, then select "221" from the first Environmental Review and Analysis ERAT stat Docket Number drop down box and enter 1416 in the second box before clicking on the Add to List" button. You must then click the "Save The Commission will review data from the that each electric transmission owning the state al transmission planning report with the Commission in the fall of each odd-numbered years. These reports provide information on the transmission planning process used by utilities in the state of Minnesota and information about other transmission sine projects. The 2021 Benit nsmission Planning Report is available at www.minnelectrans.com. The 2021 B Tammission Running Report was submitted on October 29, 2021 An updated planning report will be submitted later in 2023 NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT Re : in the Matter of the Application for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit for the Northland Reliability Project MPUC Docket Nos . 1015 , ET2 / CN - 22-416 and E015 , ET2 / TL - 22-415 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Minnesota Power and Great River Energy ( also the " Applicants " ) are applying to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ( Commission ) for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit for the Northland Reliability Project for " Project PROJECT DESCRIPTION Great River Energy and Minnesota Power are proposing to construct the Northland Relaty Project The Project consists of two major segments Segment construction of a new approximately 140 - mile long double - cut 345 volt ( KV ) sansmission in connecting the ngon Range Substation a new Cuyuna Series Compensation Station described below and the existing Beton County Substation and 23 Segment 2 replacement of two existing Mansmissionin al Replace approximately 20 - mile 250 kV line with two 545 from the Benton County Substation to the new Big Oaks Substation along existing transmission corridors on double - circuit 345 V structures ( please note that the Big Oaks Substation will be permitted as part of a separate project and more information on that project is valable in MPUC Docket Nos E012 ET2 E002 ETO 015 / CN - 22-558 and 1002 ET2 ET10 , 2015 , 1017 / TL - 23-158 , and Replace an approximately 20 - mile 345 Vine from the Benton County Substation to the existing Sherco Substation in Serb County along existing transmission corridons using double - circuit 345 kV structures The Project will also involve the following improvements to the power grid Expansion of the existing on Range Substation located near Grand Rapids and expansion of the existing Benton County Substation located near St. Cloud and reconfiguring existing transmission lines at the fron Range and Benton County substations and 12 Construction of a new Cuguna Series Compensation Station near the existing Riverton Substation and rerouting an existing trainin in the Riverton area The Project is scheduled to be placed in service in 2030 . REGULATORY REVIEW PROCESS Before the Applicants can construct the Project the Commission must determine whether the Project is needed ( Certificate of Need and will determine the route along which the Project will be built Route Perm section 2168 245 , and Mine Chapter 7849 , specifically Rules parts 7849.0010 to 7849 0400 and 7849100007649.2000 A copy of the Certificate of Need application once submitted can be obtained by visiting PROJECT NEED The Project was studied reviewed and approved as part of the Long Range Transmission anche 1 Portfolio by the continent Independent System Operator , Incs ( MISOS Board of Directors in July 2022 as part of its annual M50 Transmission Expansion Plan 2021 ( MTEP21 report . The Project will ensure that the power grid in northern and central Minnesota continues to operate safety and reliably as energy resources in Minnesota and the regional power system continue to evolve As generation resources shift from fossil fuel to more renewables , the Project is one part of the solution to provide system support as fossil - fueled baseload generation is retired ( 2 ) enhance system resiliency during extreme weather events such as during polar v events ( 3 ) faciat increased capacity to and energy from where it is produced to where it is needed by customers and members , particularly during the winter season and plan proactively to meeting changing customer and member power needs due to decarbonization and electification mening and commen fan in Figure 1 CUYUNA SERIES COMPENSATION STATION Brain App and mengand Cence of dando Commons PUC Docket No. 015 ET2 / L - 22-415 The Applicants will be submitting an application for a Route Permit with a proposed route for the new 145 kV transmission line Other routes can be proposed to be evaluated during the Route Permit proceeding Routes that have been shown at public meetings are preliminary and subject to change BENTON COUNTY SUSTATION Suree Citt & The Commission will not make its determinations on the Certificate of Need or Route Permit un it has completed through review process that needed and is needed , which route should be approved Selection of a final route by the Commission will be based on an evaluation of the routes guided by the factors denied in les part 78504100 , and stakeholder input Minnesota Statues section 216E05 Minnesota received during the regulatory process The table below provides a high - level summary of the major steps in the regulatory process SUMMARY OF REGULATORY SCHEDULE ACTION s0RIGHT - OF - WAY FOR THE PROJECT SHERCO SUBSTATION APPROXIMATE DATE www.g 2021 201 public and Informational and Song Ming F / W2023 2924 Spany 2024 In addition to certifying the need for the Project the Commission must also grant a Route Pe for the Project before it may be constructed The routing of the Project is governed by Minnesotais process along with land userland cover law , including Minnesota Statutes Chapter topography waterwetands and soll types 2166 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 4400 and Our current structure design is about 120-10 7850 A copy of the Route Pet appction once submitted can be obtained by visiting the 180 - foot high single pole steel structures with ams on both sides of the structure . For this type of structure , the Applicants anticipate having the to eight structures for each mile of the line ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND MAILING LISTS Zimm Lefe GARS Northland Reliability Project HAR SUBSTATION SHERCO sustation Before beginning construction , the Applicants will acquire property rights for the right of you have questions about the state regulatory The Certificate of Need process is governed by way tycally through an easement that will be process , you may contact the Minnesota state Minnesota la including Minnesota for parcel The Applicants anticipate acquiring casements with a minimum right - of - way of approximately 150 - teer wide for the 345 kv transmission lines Where these transmission is pr the lines less new right of way may be required because the new transmission line may share00-45-32 portion of the existing night - of - way PROPOSED STRUCTURES FOR THE PROJECT The specific type and size of structures to be used will depend on the routes identified in SURATION but at the bottom of the page to con your subscription to the Projects Certificate of Need docket ( 22-4561 These same steps can be followed to subscribe to the Project's Route Permit docket 122-4351 If you would like to have your name added to the Project Route Penit proceeding mang t IMPUC Docke No 005 ET2 / TL - 22-4151 you may register by contacting the public advisor in the consumer affairs office at the Commission at consumer pucemus or 1651 294 04061-800-657-3782 Please be sure to note : how you would like to receive notices Pregular mail or email and 2 ) your complete mang or email address . You may also find information about the Project on the Department of Commerce's webpage at http : // apps commerce staten usea / web / page / home by clicking Transmission Lines and locating the Project in the list . Please be aware that the Project may not be listed at this location the Route Permit application is submitted A separate mailing list is maintained for the Certificate of Need proceeding . To be placed on the Project Certificate of Need mailing list IMPUC Docket No. 005. ET2 / CN - 22-416 , mat faxr email Robin Benson at Minnesota Public Uti Commission 1217 Place E. Suite 350 St Pau MN 55101-2547 Fax 651-297-7073 or robin besonatemus Com C Kirch 121 Pace ES 350 5 Pace Eat Sun 20 P 15:00 3294-7 comm Please visit the Project website at : www.northlandreliabilityproject.com for more information Project phone and e - mail addresses are Project Phone Number - 216 ) 664-6059 Project e - mail address connect@northlandreliabilityproject.com TRANSMISSION PLANNING PROCESS IN MINNESOTA docket and to receive email notifications when To subscribe to the Projects Certificate of Need Minnesota Statutes section 256 2425 information is fed in that docket , please visit www.mn.govic , click on ' Doct click on " Go to eDockets which is located in approximately the middle of the page and then click on " efling Home / Login ' in the left encourages public involvement and analys the impacts of the Project and various route alternatives . This process includes preparation of an Environmental Report on the Project by the Minnesota Department of Commerces Energy menu . Then click on the Subscribe to Dockets button , enter your email address and select Docket Number from the Type of Subscription " dropdown box , then select " 221 " from the first Environmental Review and Analysis ERAT stat Docket Number drop down box and enter 1416 in the second box before clicking on the Add to List " button . You must then click the " Save The Commission will review data from the that each electric transmission owning the state al transmission planning report with the Commission in the fall of each odd - numbered years . These reports provide information on the transmission planning process used by utilities in the state of Minnesota and information about other transmission sine projects . The 2021 Benit nsmission Planning Report is available at www.minnelectrans.com . The 2021 B Tammission Running Report was submitted on October 29 , 2021 An updated planning report will be submitted later in 2023