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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 49, Number 07                                                                                      February 18, 2025






Announcements

*Wednesday, February 19, 1 – 4:00 p.m.
*Join us in person or virtually for the February 2025 Environmental Quality Board meeting. At this meeting, the board will elect a Vice Chair, participate in Robert’s Rules procedures training, and learn about Energy infrastructure permitting rulemaking. The board will also hear about the 2025 Groundwater Policy Report initial outline.

More information, including the meeting packet and virtual meeting details, can be found on the board meeting webpage [ [link removed] ].






Winter Full Moon over Forest




Environmental review project notices

EQB publishes environmental review notices provided by responsible governmental units. For more information on a project undergoing environmental review, click on the individual project links below. You can also find information about active projects in your community on the Environmental Review Projects Interactive Map [ [link removed] ].

 

Dakota East Area AUAR [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Rosemount; Dakota
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Final order for review

*Project description: *The AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 447 acres on 8 parcels in Rosemount, Dakota County, Minnesota. MNLCO Dakota County, LLC is proposing to develop the study area from existing farmland to a one of the scenarios being proposed. Three scenarios are proposed for evaluation in the AUAR. Scenario 1 proposes uses that are consistent with the Rosemount Comprehensive Plan, which includes 1,450 residential units and commercial buildings for a total of 500,000 square feet. It is anticipated that some of the 229 acres will remain in agricultural land as part of Scenario 1. Scenario 2 includes multiple buildings for a total of 2,300,000 square feet for mixed business campus uses. Scenario 3 includes multiple buildings for a total of 2,500,000 square feet for mixed-business campus, involving light industrial uses. The proposed development within the AUAR study area is anticipated to begin construction in 2025.
Dakota East Area AUAR project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Rosemount City Hall, 2875 145th St W, Rosemount,
MN 55068

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Rosemount, Anthony Nemcek <[email protected]>,
651-423-4411

 

Appleton to Benson Transmission Line Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Benson, Swift
*Process: *Alternative review
*End of public comment period:* March 28, 2025

*Notice title: *NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING MEETINGS
*Notice description: *In the Matter of the Application of Great River Energy, Otter Tail Power Co., Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Agralite Electric Coop., and the City of Benson for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit for the Appleton to Benson 115 Kilovolt Transmission Line Project
*Project description: *the Project will include upgrading, rebuilding or reconductoring, and/or constructing new transmission lines between the following substations: Appleton, Shible Lake, Moyer, Danvers, Benson, and Benson Municipal Substations. The Shible Lake, Benson, and Benson Municipal Substations are existing substations that will be modified and/or expanded to accommodate the Project's 115-kV connection. The Project also includes the construction of new Appleton substations. The Moyer and Danvers Substations will be expanded or relocated to accommodate connection to the Project.

*First public meeting date, time, location: *March 12, 2025, 11:00 a.m., Appleton Government Center, 323 West Schlieman Ave, Appleton, MN 56208
**First public* meeting additional details:* Doors open at 10:00 AM. Meeting from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting is to: (1) provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process; and (2) provide an opportunity to participate in developing the scope of the environmental assessment. Doors will open one hour prior to each meeting to allow attendees to review the application, maps, and other materials for the proposed project and ask questions of state staff and the Applicants. During this time, comments made by attendees will become part of the record for Commission consideration only if the attendee submits the comment in writing or speaks on the comment on record during the meeting. Forms will be available for this purpose. State staff and the Applicants will both make presentations during the meeting. State staff will explain the permitting and environmental review processes, and the Applicants will provide an overview of the proposed project. Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to offer oral and written comments for the record. The meetings will end when all attendees have had the opportunity to comment, and all other business has been concluded, or the scheduled end time of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The information presented will be the same at all in-person and online meetings. If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these meetings, please contact the Commission at 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance of the meeting. To find out if a meeting is canceled due to bad weather or other reasons, call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc.
*Second public meeting date, time, location: *March 12, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Northside Elementary Lunchroom, 1800 West Nevada Avenue, Benson, MN 56215
**Second public* meeting additional details:* Doors open at 5:00 PM. Meeting from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting is to: (1) provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process; and (2) provide an opportunity to participate in developing the scope of the environmental assessment. Doors will open one hour prior to each meeting to allow attendees to review the application, maps, and other materials for the proposed project and ask questions of state staff and the Applicants. During this time, comments made by attendees will become part of the record for Commission consideration only if the attendee submits the comment in writing or speaks on the comment on record during the meeting. Forms will be available for this purpose. State staff and the Applicants will both make presentations during the meeting. State staff will explain the permitting and environmental review processes, and the Applicants will provide an overview of the proposed project. Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to offer oral and written comments for the record. The meetings will end when all attendees have had the opportunity to comment, and all other business has been concluded, or the scheduled end time of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The information presented will be the same at all in-person and online meetings. If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these meetings, please contact the Commission at 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance of the meeting. To find out if a meeting is canceled due to bad weather or other reasons, call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc.
*Third public meeting date, time, location: *March 13, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Third public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]

**Location of public documents:**85 7th Place East, Suite 280 Saint Paul, MN 55101

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Department of Commerce,
Sam Weaver <[email protected]>, 651-539-1531

 

Great River Energy Laketown 115 kV Transmission Line Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Laketown Township, Carver
*Process: *Alternative review

*Notice title: *Notice of Environmental Scoping Decision - Laketown 115 kV Transmission Line Project
*Notice description: *Please take notice that the Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department) has issued the scoping decision for the environmental assessment (EA) that will be prepared for the proposed Laketown 115 kV Transmission Line Project. The EA will be prepared by the Department's Energy Environmental Review and Analysis staff and will address the potential human and environmental impacts of the project. The scoping decision identifies those issues that will be studied, as well as those that will not be addressed.
*Project description: *Great River Energy proposes to construct a new 4.3 mile long 115 kV transmission line in Laketown and Dahlgren Townships in Carver County.
Great River Energy Laketown 115 kV Transmission Line Project project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Golden Rule Building, 85 7th Place Saint Paul, MN 55101

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Department of Commerce - Energy Environmental Review and Analysis, Logan Hicks <[email protected]>, 651-539-2712

 

General notices

Notices published in this section may be required under Minnesota Statute or Rule.

*Midwater BESS - NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING MEETINGS*

*Notice description: *PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings for Midwater BESS, LLC's (Applicant) joint application for a site permit and route permit to construct and operate an up to 150 megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated facilities (BESS Facility), and an approximately 2,668-foot long, 161 kilovolt (kV) high voltage transmission line (HVTL) and associated facilities (HVTL Facility).

*First public meeting date, time, location: *February 19, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Freeborn County Historical Museum, 1031 Bridge Avenue, Albert Lea, MN 56007
*First public meeting additional details:* Open house at 5pm
*Second public meeting date, time, location: *February 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Second public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Second public meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2480 332 8064
Webinar Password: PUC2025 (7822025 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2480 332 8064

*Link to additional information: *Midwater BESS additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contacts:
*Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Jacques Harvieux <[email protected]>, 651-201-2233
Minnesota Department of Commerce, Jim Sullivan <[email protected]>, 651‐539‐1059 

 

*Public Hearings and Release of EA for Northern Crescent Solar Project (22-57 and 24-238)*

*Notice description: *The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on the joint application of Northern Crescent Solar LLC for site permits for the proposed Northern Crescent Solar Project, an up to 150 megawatt alternating current (MWac) solar energy generating system and a 50 MWac battery energy storage system (BESS). The proposed project is located on approximately 1,179 acres of predominantly agricultural land in Verona and Prescott townships, Faribault County, Minnesota. The final footprint of the facility is expected to occupy 929 acres. The in-person public hearing will be held on March 4, 2025 at the Winnebago City Hall at 6:00 PM. There will also be a virtual hearing held the following night on March 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM - the details to join virtually are included in the Notice, which can be found on eDockets under the project docket numbers 22-57 & 24-238.

*First public meeting date, time, location: *March 4, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Winnebago City Hall, 140 Main Street South, Winnebago, MN 56098
*Second public meeting date, time, location: *March 5, 2025, 6:00 p.m., online meeting
*Second public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Second public meeting additional details:*  
To join by phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Webinar Number: 2489 588 2969
Webinar Password:MnPUC! (667820 from phones)
Phone Access Code: 2489 588 2969
Additional information and instructions are available at: [link removed]

*Link to additional information: *Northern Crescent Solar additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Sam Lobby <[email protected]>, 651-201-2205

 

Fish kill reports

Minnesota Duty Officer reports pertaining to fish kills are summarized in the following table, in accordance with 103G.216, REPORTING FISH KILLS IN PUBLIC WATERS, Subd. 2 Reporting Requirement. These reports were received via the Minnesota Duty Officer prior to the submission deadline for this edition of the EQB Monitor. They represent the raw data/information provided by callers. For more information regarding fish kills in Minnesota see the Department of Natural Resources [ [link removed] ]. Call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 651‐649‐5451 or 800‐422‐0798 to report fish kills.

*No fish kill reports were received since the last publication.*

 

Submit a notice to the "EQB" "Monitor"

The "EQB Monitor" is a weekly publication announcing environmental review documents, public comment periods and other actions of the Environmental Quality Board. The "EQB Monitor" is published every Tuesday at noon. Submissions to the "EQB Monitor [ [link removed] ]" are due by 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday one week prior to the intended publication date. Please see the EQB Monitor schedule [ [link removed] ] for more details.

 

To submit a notice for publication:

Access the EQB monitor submission service [ [link removed] ]

 

Questions? Contact EQB by phone at 651-757-2873 or email us at [email protected]. 

For more information on environmental review, please visit the EQB website or contact us at [email protected].


















Minnesota Environmental Quality Board

*Environmental Quality Board | eqb.state.mn.us [ [link removed] ] *

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