Transmission

Getting the power generated by renewable electricity sources to consumers is a big project. There are a number of important policies and regulations on the interconnection, permitting, and siting of generation facilities with regards to transmission, and many developments on these fronts that are of utmost importance to the planning of your project.

Contacting your utility is a good place to start to understand transmission issues in your area — see our utility project planning resources.

New to transmission? You should consider reading Electricity Transmission: A Primer by the National Council on Electricity Policy. It is intended to help you understand the physics of the transmission system, the economics of transmission, and the ways in which the transmission system is governed.

 

Interconnection

 
Transmission Services Interconnection Guidelines – Xcel Energy
This Web page hosts a series of documents that discuss guidelines for Xcel’s entire service territory.

Distributed Generation (DG) FAQ – CERTs

Minnesota Statewide Study of Dispersed Generation Potenial
Read this publication to learn more about how smaller dispersed wind projects can be incorporated into transmission systems that are approaching capacity.

Local Energy Initiatives Meetings
These public meetings held in 2007 in the five greater Minnesota transmission planning zones were a huge success. The meetings covered recent renewable energy legislation and engaged attendees in working sessions to gather input for community-based energy development in Minnesota. Much of the discussion centered on dispersed generation.

Web Seminar on Community Wind – Midwest Ag Energy Network
This webinar, which took place on December 6th, 2007, was an introduction to important community wind issues featuring Tom Wind on transmission interconnection issues. Visit this page to listen to and watch his presentation.

Electric Transmission System Regulatory Reform – Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is exploring how the Minnesota regulatory process can be sure to put customer needs first and better simulate what markets would otherwise do.

 

Permitting

 
Transmission Line Routing & Permiting – Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
The MN Public Utilities Commission has responsibility for the site and route permitting of certain energy facilities, including electric transmission lines operating above 100 kilovolts.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
PCA is the primary regulatory authority regarding air and water quality in Minnesota. They issue permits to all electric generating facilities above a certain capacity and post a list of pending permits.

Environmental Quality Board
The Environmental Quality Board reviews siting of all power plants over 50 MW as well as the routing of transmission lines. Pipelines, nuclear waste facilities, and wind turbines also fall under the jurisdiction of EQB. A list of pending dockets is regularly published on their website.

Minnesota Electric Transmission Planning
A collaboration of the electric utilities and chief state regulatory authorities, it provides information on the electric grid in Minnesota and a forum to discuss its maintenance and development. It also publishes a biennial Transmission Planning Report that details its recommendations.

Biennial Transmission Filing Rulemaking – Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
2002 rulemaking for the 2001 Minnesota Energy Security and Reliability Act.

Environmental Review Program – MN Environmental Quality Board
Information from Minnesota Planning about environmental review process, documents, and how the Environmental Quality Board works for development and approval of new projects.

Transmission - MN Transmission Map