Studies and Reports > 2009 MN Biennial Report > NE Planning Zone > Needs: 6.3.16 115 kV Transmission Line #28 Reroute

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6.3.16 115 kV Transmission Line #28 Reroute

Tracking Number. 2009-NE-N3

Utility. Minnesota Power and Nashwauk Public Utilities Commission

Inadequacy. Minnesota Power’s 115 kV Line #28 crosses the area where Essar Steel plans to start mining operations. To prevent the line from interfering with the planned mining operations, a section of the line, about 6.5 miles long, must be relocated.

A map of the area is shown on the following page.

Alternatives. Several alternative routes for rerouting the line have been considered.

Analysis. Since this matter requires the existing line to be rerouted to avoid mining operations, it makes sense to reroute the line along the preferred corridor for one of the 230 kV transmission lines that will be constructed to serve the Essar Steel facilities (Tracking Number 2007-NE-N2). Once the preferred route for the 230 kV transmission to serve Essar Steel was selected (see PUC Docket Number. TL-09-512), Minnesota Power was able to develop a preferred route for the #28 Line reroute.

Schedule. Minnesota Power filed a Local Review Route Permit Application in August 2009 with the City of Nashwauk for the relocation of Line #28. Minnesota Power will coordinate with Essar Steel to insure the line is relocated by the time mining operations commence. At this time it is expected that this relocation will occur during 2010 or 2011.

Click here or on map below to download high resolution PDF map.