Chapter 6 contains information on each of the present and reasonably foreseeable future inadequacies that have been identified in the six transmission zones. For each zone, a table of present inadequacies is first presented, in order of when the inadequacy was first identified, so the older inadequacies are listed first. This table is followed in a separate section with a table of completed projects that have been removed from the open list. These completed projects have been removed because the project was completed over the past two years or because changed circumstances have eliminated the need for the project.

The following describes the information that is reported in the tables for each zone.

6.1.1 Needed Projects

The table for Needed Projects contains the following columns:

MPUC Tracking Number

MTEP Year/App

MTEP Project Number

CON?

Utility

Project Description and Timeframe

MPUC Tracking Number

The first column in the table is labeled "MPUC Tracking Number." Each inadequacy is assigned a Tracking Number. This numbering system was created in 2005 and has been utilized in every report since. The Tracking Number has three parts to it: the year the inadequacy was first reported, the zone in which it occurs, and a chronological number assigned in no particular order. Tracking Number 2013-NE-N1, for example, indicates that this matter is first reported in the 2013 Report and is an inadequacy in the Northeast Zone. An inadequacy with a Tracking Number beginning with 2007, on the other hand, was first identified in the 2007 Report.

This column in the tables also contains in italics a name for each Tracking Number Project.

MTEP Year/App

The second column contains a reference to a MISO Transmission Expansion Plan (MTEP) Report and an Appendix in the report. The MTEP Report is prepared annually by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and each utility that is a member of MISO must participate in the MTEP process. Each report is referred to by the year it is adopted. Thus, the most recent report is MTEP13. Additional information about the MISO planning process and the MTEP reports is included in section 3.3.1 of this Biennial Report, and an explanation of how to find a particular MTEP Report and an Appendix is provided later in this section

MTEP Project Number

The third column of the table provides a Project Number assigned by MISO for each project. This Project Number is important for finding a particular project in the appropriate MTEP Report.

CON?

The PUC rules (Minn. Rules part 7848.1300, item M) state that the biennial report shall contain an approximate timeframe for filing a certificate of need application for any projects identified that are large enough to require a certificate of need. This column provides a simple "Yes" or "No" indication of whether a CON is required. The timing of the filing for the CON is determined by the fact that either an application has already been filed, in which case a PUC Docket Number is provided in the last column, or the timeframe set forth in the last column for completion of the project will be an indication of when an application for a CON has to be filed. If a PUC Docket Number is given, that docket can be checked to determine whether the CON has already been issued by the Commission.

Utility

This column simply identifies the utility or utilities that are involved in the project.

Description and Timeframe

The last column sets forth a brief explanation of what the project entails. More detailed information is available by consulting the MTEP Report and Appendix that are listed for the project. If a PUC Docket Number for a certificate of need or a route permit has been established, that information will also be found in this column. Finally, a timeframe for completion of the project is indicated.

6.1.2 Completed Projects

The table for Completed Projects is essentially the same as the table for Needed Projects described above. The only difference is that the date the project was completed is provided in the last column. If a certificate of need or a route permit was required from the Public Utilities Commission, or both, the docket numbers are provided in the last column.

MPUC Tracking Number

MTEP Year/App

MTEP Project Number

CON

Utility

Description

Date Completed
PUC Dock

6.1.3 The MISO Planning Process

As mentioned above most of the transmission planning conducted by Minnesota utilities is done through the Midcontinent Independent System Operator planning process, which results in the development of a Midcontinent Transmission Expansion Plan (MTEP) Report each year.

MISO Members

Not all transmission-owning utilities in Minnesota are members of MISO. The following utilities are members of MISO and will be relying on the MTEP Report to provide the necessary information about the inadequacies they have identified: American Transmission Company (ATC), Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (CMMPA), Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC), Hutchinson Utilities Commission (HUC), Great River Energy (GRE), ITC Midwest (ITCM), Minnesota Power (MP), Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), Northern States Power Company (XEL), Otter Tail Power Company (OTP) and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMP).

Non-MISO Members

The following utilities are not members of MISO: East River Electric Power Cooperative (EREPC), L&O Power Cooperative (L&O), Marshall Municipal Utilities (MMU), Minnkota Power Cooperative (MPC), Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), and Willmar Municipal Utilities (WMU).

For those utilities that are joining in the submission of this Report who are not members of MISO, complete information about the inadequacy is included in this document. However, there is only one inadequacy to report for a non-MISO member, and that is Tracking Number 2011-NW-N5, a project in the Northwest Zone being undertaken by Minnkota Power Cooperative. Joint projects between MISO and non-MISO utilities are reported by the MISO members and references to the appropriate MTEP Report are provided.

The MTEP Report

The latest MTEP Reports are available on the MISO webpage at:

http://www.misoenergy.org (Click on "Planning.")

Each of the MTEP Reports separates transmission projects into three categories and lists them in Appendices as follows:

Appendix A - Projects recommended for approval,

Appendix B - Projects with documented need and effectiveness, and

Appendix C - Projects in review and conceptual projects.

Generally, when projects are first identified, they are listed in Appendix C, and then they move up to Appendix B and to Appendix A as they are further studied and ultimately brought forth for construction. Some projects never advance to the final stage of actually being approved and constructed.

The MTEP process is ongoing at all times at MISO. Generally utilities submit a list of their newly proposed projects in September. MISO staff evaluates these projects over the next several months, and prepares a draft of the annual MTEP Report around July of the following year. After review by utilities and other interested parties, the MISO board of directors usually approves the report in December. The process continues with another report finalized the following December. The MTEP 13 Report should be approved by the MISO Board of Directors in December of this year.

The MTEP Report is an excellent source of information about ongoing transmission studies and projects in Minnesota and throughout a wide area of the country.

The MTEP Report is prepared annually so it provides more timely information. The Biennial Report is prepared every other year.
The MISO planning process is comprehensive. MISO considers all regional transmission issues, not just Minnesota transmission issues.
MISO conducts an independent analysis of all projects to confirm the benefits stated by the project sponsor. This adds further verification of the benefits of projects.
MISO holds various planning meetings during the year at which stakeholders can have input into the planning process so there are more frequent opportunities for input (see next paragraph.)
All completed projects are listed on the MISO webpage.
Not duplicating the MTEP Report will save ratepayers money. It is costly to require the utilities to redo all the information that is found in the MTEP Report.

Participating in Meetings

Throughout each MTEP cycle, meetings are conducted to help projects progress and to keep stakeholders informed. Importantly, MISO provides numerous opportunities for the utilities, interested persons, and the general public to keep advised of these proceedings and to actually participate in transmission planning discussions. Anyone interested in the annual planning process can contact MISO at clientrelations@misoenergy.org and arrange to get information in the future. Anyone can subscribe to mailing lists for Planning Advisory Committee and Planning Subcommittee meetings.

Subscribing to Mailing Lists

Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) - The Planning Advisory Committee conducts high level discussions about broad transmission issues. Learn more and sign up for the mailing list at:

https://www.misoenergy.org/StakeholderCenter/CommitteesWorkGroupsTaskForces/PAC/Pages/home.aspx

Planning Subcommittee (PSC) - The Planning Subcommittee conducts more specific studies and addresses technical issues. Learn more and sign up for the mailing list at:

https://www.misoenergy.org/StakeholderCenter/CommitteesWorkGroupsTaskForces/PSC/Pages/home.aspx

6.2 Finding Information about Specific Projects

Since all but one of the inadequacies identified in this 2013 Biennial Report are by utilities that are MISO members, information about the projects will be found in the MTEP Reports, and it is necessary to describe how to actually find that information. The following discussion provides directions on how to find pertinent information about any one of the projects by Tracking Number.

Project Information

For each zone, a table is included that describes certain information about each project by Tracking Number. The table looks like this (Tracking Number 2003-NE-N2 is used for illustrative purposes):

Cromwell - Wrenshall - Mahtowa - Floodwood Area

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/App	MTEP Project Number	CON?	Utility	Description
2003-NE-N2	2011/A	2634	Yes	MP/ GRE	Savanna Project, 115 kV Savanna switching station and Savanna-Cromwell and Savanna-Cedar Valley 115 kV lines, St. Louis Co., MN PUC Docket Nos. CN-10-973 and TL-10-1307

Tracking Number 2003-NE-N2 is the Savanna-Cromwell project in the Northeast Zone. Information about this project can be found in Appendix A of the 2011 MTEP Report and is identified as MTEP Project Number 2634. A certificate of need from the Public Utilities Commission is required and this project is being undertaken by Minnesota Power and Great River Energy. The Description column of the table provides a short-hand name for the project, a brief description of the project, a timeframe from completing the project, and a PUC Docket Number if one exists.

Tracking Number 2003-NE-N2 corresponds to MTEP Number 2634. Information about the project can be found in Appendix A of the MTEP11 Report by following these steps:

Step 1. Go to the MISO homepage at: https://www.misoenergy.org

Step 2. Click on "Planning" at the top of the page. Then click on the link on the left side of the page entitled "MISO Transmission Planning Expansion (MTEP)."

Step 3. Click on the link for the annual MTEP report that is sought. In the case of the Savannah - Cromwell Project, it is the MTEP 11 Report that is desired. If the report is older than MTEP 11, you will have to select the Study Repository link for an older report.

Step 4. Click on the "MTEP11 Appendices ABC."

Step 5. Select the "Projects" tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet that was just downloaded. Hold down the "Ctrl" key and press the "F" key to bring up the "Find" dialog box. Enter the MTEP Project Number, which in this case is 2634, in the dialog box and select "Find Next." Information about the project can then be read from the row the MTEP Project was found during this search.

Similar steps can be followed for all other projects identified in chapter 6, including those few that are not Appendix A projects (recommended by MISO for approval).

Project Facilities

Appendices A, B and C also contain information on the specific facilities (such as transmission lines, substations, etc.) that are part of a particular project. The steps below show how to find this information for the example project.

Step 1: To find information on specific facilities (transmission lines, substations etc.) that are part of a project click on the "Facilities" tab located at the bottom of the spreadsheet that was downloaded at Step 5 in the above example.

Step 2: Hold down the "Ctrl" key and hit the "F" key to bring up the "Find" dialog box. Enter the MTEP Project Number, which is "2634" in this example, in the dialog box and then click on "Find Next". The "Find Next" link can be clicked until all rows containing information about Project Number 2634 have been found. There will usually be more than one row since most projects involve more than one transmission line or substation or other facility.

This same procedure can be used to find thiskind of information for other projects and their associated facilities for the projects listed in the tables in Chapter 6 using the MTEP Report and the MTEP Project Number.

Detailed Project Information

Starting in 2008, if the project has been either approved or recommended for approval by the MISO board of directors (i.e, designated an Appendix A project), additional, more detailed information about the project can be found in Appendix D1 in the MTEP Report for the year the project was approved by MISO. For large projects, this information includes a project map, project justification and information about the system inadequacy that the project is intended to correct. For smaller projects, a subset of this information is included. Starting with the MTEP08 Report, projects located in Minnesota are contained in the "West Region Project Justifications" portion of Appendix D1 in the MTEP Report year that the project was approved or recommended for approval. For information on Minnesota projects approved by MISO prior to 2008, see the appropriate year Minnesota Biennial Transmission Projects Report for the appropriate year.

Continuing with our example of the Savannah - Cromwell Project, Tracking Number 2003-NE-N2, which is an approved Appendix A project, this additional information can be found by going to Appendix D1 through the following steps.

Step 1. After following the first three steps described above to get to the appropriate MTEP report, click on the MTEP11 Appendices link.

Step 2. Select MTEP 11 Appendix D1 West.

Step 3. Once the desired Appendix D1 is downloaded, use the pdf search tool to find Project Number 2634 and locate information about this project.

This same procedure can be used to find more detailed information on most projects shown in the tables in Sections 6.3 through 6.8 that have moved to MISO Appendix A since 2008. In addition, if you search for a specific utility's name, you can find information on projects that utility has submitted and have been or are being considered for approval by the MISO board of directors.

Finding Specific Utility Projects in the Appendices

One additional useful tool with the MTEP Reports is the ability to find projects that an individual utility has submitted to MISO. Also, the Appendices can be sorted to show all projects for a particular utility, (or, depending on the version of Excel you are using, a group of utilities.) To do this, from the Appendices ABC page, click on the down arrow located in the column C heading "Geographic Location by TO Member System," and then select the code for the individual utility you are interested in from the drop-down list (NOTE: some versions of Excel will allow you to select multiple utilities).

Utility	MISO Geographic Code
American Transmission Company, LLC	ATC LLC
Dairyland Power Cooperative	DPC
Great River Energy	GRE
ITC Midwest LLC	ITCM
Minnesota Power	MP
Missouri River Energy Services	MRES
Otter Tail Power Company	OTP
Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency	SMP
Xcel Energy	XEL

You can also sort other columns in the Appendices in a similar manner. For example, you can sort it to show only projects or facilities in Appendix A by clicking on the arrow in Column A and selecting the desired choice from the drop-down list.

6.3 Northwest Zone

6.3.1 Needed Projects from non-MISO Members

6.3.1.1 Richer - Roseau - Moranville 230 kV Line Uprate

Tracking Number. 2011-NW-N5

Utility. Minnkota Power Cooperative (MPC)

Inadequacy. The Langdon Wind Project is a 200 MW wind farm located approximately 10 miles south of Langdon, ND. The project was built in two stages, Langdon 1 (160 MW) and Langdon 2 (40 MW). The generation is delivered to the Langdon 115 kV Substation via a 10 mile 115 kV line.

As part of the Upper Midwest Wind Initiative, MPC is building an approximately 250 mile 345 kV line from the Center 345 kV substation to the Prairie 345 kV substation. The new line will facilitate the delivery of the output from the Milton R. Young #2 generator over the AC system. The energy produced by Young #2 will also be transferred in increasing shares from Minnesota Power to MPC.

These projects, in conjunction with increasing load in northern Minnesota and a reduction in the schedule of the Square Butte DC line due to Young #2 transitioning to the AC system, are expected to cause additional north to south flows on the 230 kV line connecting the Winnipeg, MB area to the Duluth, MN area. As a result of these increased flows, overloads on the transmission system may occur, namely along the Richer - Roseau - Moranville 230 kV line.

The Richer - Roseau - Moranville 230 kV Line and the substation equipment are owned by Manitoba Hydro, Xcel Energy, and MPC. The current line rating was assigned due to voltage concerns on the line. It was found that at high flow levels, the voltage drop on the line per MW of flow added became increasingly severe.

Alternatives. An investigation has not yet been performed to evaluate mitigation options. The line conductor rating is sufficient to handle the higher flows, so the mitigation will likely be in the form of reactive support. There may also be some work required on the line relays.

Analysis. Firm delivery service for the previously mentioned projects was evaluated in the "Minnkota Power Cooperative Generation Study Report for Service to Native Load", which was performed by MPC. The study showed that a fault on the Forbes - Chisago 500 kV line, along with corresponding cross trip of the Dorsey - Roseau - Forbes 500 kV line and Manitoba DC reductions, caused an overload on the Richer - Roseau - Moranville 230 kV Line, which runs approximately parallel with the 500 kV line. The study demonstrated a final upgrade requirement of 239 MVA.

Schedule. Per "Minnkota Power Cooperative Generation Study Report for Service to Native Load," the line upgrade must be completed by the summer of 2017. A facility study has not yet been performed.

6.3.2 Needed Projects from MISO Members

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/App	MTEP Project Number	CON?	Utility	Project Description and Timeframe
2003-NW-N3 Otter Tail County Area	2008/A 2012/A	1033 585	No No	GRE OTP	Add new Silver Lake 230/41.6 kV Substation along Fergus Falls - Henning 230 kV Line in Otter Tail County to support 41.6 kV system in the area. This portion of 2003-NW-N3 is complete. Convert existing 41.6/12.5 kV Substation in Pelican Rapids (Otter Tail County) to 115/12.5 kV Substation to mitigate 41.6 kV system issues. Timeframe: end of 2014
2005-CX-1 Fargo - Monticello 345 kV	2008/A	286	Yes	CapX	Add new 345 kV line between Monticello and Fargo to support the Red River Valley and other growing towns along the Interstate 94 corridor during peak load conditions. This project is located in both the Northwest & West Central zones. Phase 1 - Monticello to St Cloud complete. Phase 2 - St Cloud to Alexandria Phase 3 - Alexandria - Fargo construction underway. PUC Docket Nos. CN-06-1115 and TL-09-246 and TL-09-1056.
2007-NW-N3 Load Expansions in NW Minnesota	2010/A 2013/B	2826 4232	No Yes	OTP/MPC OTP/MPC	Add capacitor to the 115 kV transmission system in northwest Minnesota at the Karlstad Substation in Kittson County (2 x 10 MVAR), Clearbrook Substation in Clearwater County (2 x 17 MVAR) and the Thief River Falls Substation in Pennington County (1 x 15 MVAR) to support the increasing loads in this area. This portion of 2007-NW-N3 is completed. This project is a new 230 kV line of approximately 47 miles between Winger and Thief River Falls. Previous biennial reports have identified a need for support in Northwest MN but a project had not been identified until completion of the OTP High Voltage Study described in Chapter 3. Timeframe: 2016
2009-NW-N2 Frazee-Perham-Rush Lake Area	2010/A	2670	No	GRE	Voltage problems in the Frazee area are planned to be addressed by the addition of a new Schuster Lake 115/41.6 kV Substation near Frazee in Otter Tail County to support the 41.6 kV system in this area.
2013-NW-N1 Gentilly Interconnection	2013/A	4238	No	OTP	MPC has requested interconnection on OTPs 41.6 kV system at Gentilly for additional load support. This project will add a 41.6/12.5 kV delivery at Gentilly. Timeframe: construction underway

6.3.3 Completed Projects

Some inadequacies in the Northwest Zone that were identified in the 2011 Biennial Report were alleviated through the construction and completion of specific projects over the last two years or can be moved to the completed category because changed circumstances have eliminated the need for the project. Information about each of the completed projects is summarized briefly in the table below. More information about these projects and inadequacies can be found in the 2011 Report. Also, additional information is available by contacting the designated person for the utility that was responsible for constructing the project.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/ App	MTEP Project Number	CON	Utility	Description	Date Completed PUC Docket
2003-NW-N2 Northern Valley Area	2010/B	2824	No	OTP/MPC	Add capacitor banks (2 x 15 MVAR) on the 115 kV system at the Hensel Substation in Pembina County, North Dakota, to support voltages in the Northern Valley Area. (Also reference 2007-NW-N3).	Cancelled due to new load estimates and a refreshed transmission planning study that recommends adding a second Hensel to Drayton 115 kV line.
2005-NW-N2 Bemidji - Grand Rapids 230 kV Line	2006/A	279	Yes	CapX/MPC	Added new 230 kV line between Boswell and Wilton (Bemidji - Grand Rapids 230 kV line) to support the Bemidji area and the Red River Valley during winter peak conditions. This project is located in both the Northwest and Northeast zones.	November 2012 PUC Docket No. TL-07-1327.
2009-NW-N3 Brandon - Miltona - Parkers Prairie Area	2011/A	2643	No		The existing GRE 41.6/12.5 kV Substation at Parkers Prairie in Otter Tail County was converted to 115/12.5 kV by tapping an existing 115 kV line between Miltona and Elmo to alleviate voltage and loading concerns in this area for an outage of the 115/41.6 kV source at Miltona.	June 2013 PUC Docket No. TL-11-867
2009-NW-N6 Sheyenne - Audubon 230 kV Line	2013/A	3204	Yes	OTP	Sheyenne - Audubon 230 kV transmission line needed due to the interconnection of wind generation at the Maple River Substation	This project has been cancelled because the CapX2020 Fargo project will mitigate the inadequacy.
2009-NW-N7 Cass Lake - Nary-Bemidji115 kV Line	2010/A	3156	Yes	CapX	As part of the Bemidji - Grand Rapids 230 kV project (see 2005-NW-N2 and 2005-CX-1), additional 230/115 kV delivery was needed at the Cass Lake Substation (Cass County). Along with this new transformer at Cass Lake, the Cass Lake - Nary 115 kV Line needed to be reconductored to accommodate post-contingent flows. Furthermore, a new 115 kV switching station was added at Nary (Hubbard County).	August 2012 (Cass Lake Substation) December 2012 (Cass Lake reconductor and Nary Switching Station)
2011-NW-N1 Doran Tap	2011/A	3466	No	OTP	Add a new three-way switch on the Doran - Doran Tap 41.6 kV line to facilitate the interconnection of a new 5 MW wind farm near Doran (Wilkin County, MN).	Cancelled. Generator is no longer in the MISO queue.
2011-NW-N2 Wind Farm	2012/A	3464	No	OTP	Add a new three-way switch on Donaldson - Donaldson Town 41.6 kV line to facilitate the interconnection of a new 20 MW wind farm near Donaldson (Kittson/Marshall Counties, MN).	Cancelled. Generator is no longer in the MISO queue.
2011-NW-N3 Wind Farm	2012/A	3465	No	OTP	The existing Donaldson 115/41.6 kV Substation was to have the 115 kV portion of the substation updated in order to accommodate the interconnection of a new 80 MW wind farm near Donaldson (Kittson/Marshall Counties, MN).	Cancelled. Generator is no longer in the MISO queue.
2011-NW-N4 Wind Farm	2011/A	3462	No	OTP	A new three-breaker 115 kV ring bus was to be established between the existing Karlstad Substation and Viking Substation in order to allow for the interconnection of a 100 MW wind farm near Viking, MN (Marshall County).	Cancelled. Generator is no longer in the MISO queue.

6.4 Northeast Zone

6.4.1 Needed Projects

The following table provides a list of transmission needs identified in the Northeast Zone by MISO utilities. There were no projects identified in this zone by non-MISO utilities.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/App	MTEP Project Number	CON?	Utility	Project Description and Timeframe
2003-NE-N2 Cromwell - Wrenshall- Mahtowa-Floodwood Area	2011/A	2634	Yes	MP/GRE	Savanna Project: 115 kV Savanna switching station and Savanna-Cromwell and Savanna-Cedar Valley 115 kV lines, St. Louis Co., PUC Docket Nos. CN-10-973 and TL-10-1307 Timeframe: 2015
2003-NE-N6 Taconite Harbor - Grand Marais Area	NA	NA	Yes	GRE	Taconite Harbor-Grand Marais 69 kV rebuild to 115 kV. This project has been delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth.
2007-NE-N1 Duluth Area 230 kV	2009/C	2548	Yes	MP	Duluth 230 kV Project: New 230/115 kV transformer & transmission line upgrade to 230 kV to increase load-serving capability in the Duluth area. Recent study indicates this project is not needed until the 2020 timeframe.
2007-NE-N2 Essar Steel Project	2010/A	2547	No	MP	Essar 230 kV Project: Transmission for Essar Steel, Grand Rapids-Nashwauk areas, Itasca Co. Phase 1 is completed. PUC Docket No. TL-09-512.
2007-NE-N6 Onigum Area	2012/B	2632	No	GRE	Onigum 115 kV conversion. Line is currently less than 10 miles, however CON may be required if route is altered. Cass and Hubbard counties.
2009-NE-N1 Nugget - Hoyt Lakes	2009/A	2552	No	MP	Skibo-Hoyt Lakes 138 kV Line: New ~3 mile transmission line needed to provide redundant sources for expansion of an existing industrial customer; Hoyt Lakes Area, St. Louis Co.
2009-NE-N2 Deer River Tap	2012/C	2551	No	MP	28 Line Tap Reconfiguration: Put existing tap on dedicated breaker and rebuild to higher capacity, Cohasset - Deer River, Itasca Co. (This project has been cancelled in favor of MTEP Project #3531.)
2009-NE-N2 Deer River Area (f/k/a Deer River Tap)	2012/B	3531	No	MP	Deer River 230 kV Project: construct Zemple 230/115 kV Substation to increase load-serving capability and improve reliability in Deer River and the surrounding area; Deer River, Itasca Co. Due to line length, a CON was not required. PUC Docket No. TL-13-68. Timeframe: 2015
2009-NE-N4 Brainerd Lakes - Remer-Deer River Area	NA	NA	Yes	GRE	Macville-Blind Lake 115 kV line and Macville 230/115 kV substation. This project has been delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth.
2009-NE-N5 Ortman Project	2010/A	2621	No	GRE	Build a new 230/69 kV transmission substation and build a new 20-mile 69 kV transmission line from the new Ortman Substation to the existing 69 kV transmission line just west of the Bigfork Substation
2009-NE-N6 Staples-Motley-Long Prairie Area	NA	NA	Maybe	GRE	Shamineau Lake 115 kV substation and 115 kV line. This project has been delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth.
2009-NE-N7 Park Rapids Area	2010/A 2012/B	2566 2566	No No	GRE	Potato Lake 115 kV distribution sub and 115 kV line. Mantrap 115 kV conversion. This project is projected to be in-service in 2017 or sooner depending on load growth. The 2010/A portion of this project is complete. The 2012/B portion is expected to start in 2015. PUC Docket No. TL-10-86.
2009-NE-N8 Barrows Area	NA	NA	No	GRE	Barrows distribution substation and 115 kV line. This project has been delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth.
2009-NE-N9 Shell Lake Area	2011/A	2599	No	GRE	Shell Lake 115 kV distribution substation and 115 kV line. This line will be built at 69 kV.
2009-NE-N10 Iron Hub	NA	NA	No	GRE	Iron Hub distribution substation and 115 kV line. This project has been delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth.
2009-NE-N11 Rush City-Cambridge-Princeton-Milaca Area	NA	NA	Yes	GRE	Rush City-Milaca 230 kV line and Dalbo 230/69 kV source. This project has been delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth.
2011-NE-N1 9 Line Upgrade	2011/A	3373	No	MP	Rebuild existing 115 kV line to higher capacity. Blackberry - Meadowlands, St. Louis & Itasca Co. A CON was not required for this project.
2011-NE-N2 15 Line Rebuild	2011/A	2549	No	MP	15 Line Reconfiguration: Rebuild & reconfigure existing 115 kV line to higher capacity, Fond-du-Lac - Hibbard, Duluth area, St. Louis Co.
2011-NE-N5 North Met Sub	2010/A	2761	No	MP	Construct new 138/13.8 kV substation to serve new mine, Hoyt Lakes area, St. Louis Co.
2011-NE-N8 18 Line Upgrade	2012/A	1292	No	MP	Increase capacity of existing 115 kV line, Forbes - United Taconite, Eveleth area, St. Louis Co.
2011-NE-N9 Verndale Transformer	2012/A	3534	No	MP	Increase 115/34.5 kV transformer capacity at existing Verndale Substation, Verndale, Wadena Co.
2011-NE-N10 Laskin Transformer	2009/A	2759	No	MP	Increase 115/46 kV transformer capacity and replace end-of-life equipment at existing Laskin Substation, Hoyt Lakes area, St. Louis Co.
2011-NE-N11 Savanna 230 kV Expansion	2012/C	3533	Yes	MP	Expansion of the Savanna Substation to 230/115 kV. Rebuild of existing 115 kV line (MTEP Project #3373) proved more economical for transmission line loading issue. Project may be required for future voltage support depending on area load growth; Floodwood area, St. Louis Co. Timeframe: Deferred Indefinitely.
2011-NE-N12 Wrenshall Substation	2012/C	3756	No	MP	Develop new 115/46 kV substation in Thomson - Cromwell 115 kV Line to improve reliability in eastern Carlton Co. The project will eliminate the need for existing distribution circuits that would otherwise need to be rebuilt due to age and condition and is also a lower cost alternative; Wrenshall, Carlton Co.
2011-NE-N13 MH-MP 230 kV Line	2012/C	3562	Yes	MP	230 kV transmission connection to Manitoba needed to deliver 250 MW PPA from Manitoba Hydro to Minnesota Power. Alternative to MTEP Project #3831; located in St. Louis, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, & Roseau Co. (see Section 3.3.2) Timeframe:230 kV Alternative Deferred Indefinitely
2013-NE-N1 39 Line Reconfiguration	2013/A	4039	No	MP	Reconfigure Laskin - Virginia 115 kV Line; easement expiration over mine property requires removal & relocation of the line; Eveleth area, St. Louis Co. PUC Docket No. TL-12-1123
2013-NE-N2 North Shore Switching Station	2013/A	4042	No	MP	New 115 kV switching station needed to improve industrial customer reliability. Silver Bay, Lake Co.
2013-NE-N3 Two Harbors Transformer	2013/A	4043	No	MP	New 115/14 kV transformer at Two Harbors Switching State; age & condition of existing Two Harbors substation. Two Harbors, Lake Co.
2013-NE-N4 Mesabi 115 kV Project	2012/B	3791	No	MP	115 kV switching station, capacitor banks, transmission line upgrades to improve reliability & facilitate industrial load growth in the Keewatin area, Itasca & St. Louis Cos.
2013-NE-N5 Canisteo Project	2013/A	4040	No	MP	New substation in Boswell - Nashwauk 115 kV line to serve new industrial customer near Taconite, Itasca Co.
2013-NE-N6 Panasa Project	2013/A	4041	No	MP	Panasa Project: Tap of Nashwauk - Blackberry 115 kV line to serve new industrial customer near Calumet, Itasca Co.
2013-NE-N7 Canosia Road Substation	2013/B	4044	No	MP	New 115/14 kV substation in Arrowhead - Cloquet 115 kV line to unload feeders at existing Cloquet Substation and retire aging Midway Substation. Esko, Carlton Co.
2013-NE-N8 Embarrass Transformer:	2013/B	4045	No	MP	New 115/23 kV transformer at Embarrass Switching Station; unload Laskin - Virginia 46 kV system; Hoyt Lakes area, St. Louis Co.
2013-NE-N9 15th Avenue West Transformer	2013/C	4047	No	MP	New 115/34.5 kV transformer at 15th Avenue West; reliability, load growth, & unloading existing substations. Duluth, St. Louis Co.
2013-NE-N10 Graham Mine Substation	2013/C	4046	No	MP	New substation in Laskin - Hoyt Lakes 138 kV line to facilitate industrial customer expansion, Hoyt Lakes Area, St. Louis Co.
2013-NE-11 Arrowhead 230 kV Cap Bank	2012/A	3843	No	MP	New 40 MVAR capacitor bank needed for voltage support at HVDC terminal; Hermantown, St. Louis Co. Timeframe: Completed
2013-NE-N12 Bison 230 kV Cap Bank	2012/A	3842	No	MP	New 40 MVAR capacitor bank needed for voltage support at Bison Wind Energy Center; New Salem, North Dakota. This is a project in North Dakota and is reported here for informational purposes only. Timeframe: Completed
2013-NE-N13 Great Northern Transmission Line	2013/B 2012/C	3831 3832	Yes	MP/MH	New 500 kV & 345 kV lines from Winnipeg-Iron Range-Duluth to facilitate increased transfer capability from Manitoba - United States, increase regional access to clean, renewable Canadian hydropower, and improve system reliability (MTEP Project #3831 is the 500 kV build and Project #3832 is the 345 kV build). Impacted counties could include Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Koochiching, Itasca, and St. Louis. (see Section 3.3.2) PUC Docket No. CN-12-1163 Timeframe: October 2013
2013-NE-N14 NERC Facility Ratings Alert Medium Priority	2013/A	4293	No	MP	Derates and physical mitigation on NERC "medium" priority lines. MP system-wide
2013-NE-N15 NERC Facility Ratings Alert Low Priority	2013/A	4294	No	MP	Derates and physical mitigation on NERC "low" priority lines. MP system-wide
2013-NE-N16 HVDC Valve Hall Replacement	2013/B	4295	No	MP	Modernization of Arrowhead & Square Butte converter stations. Hermantown area, St. Louis Co, MN & Center, ND
2013-NE-N17 HVDC 750 MW Upgrade	2013/C	3856	No	MP	Upgrade capacity of existing HVDC line & terminals to 750 MW. Hermantown area, St. Louis Co.
2013-NE-N18 44 Line Upgrade	2014/A	4425	No	MP	Increase capacity of existing 115 kV line, Forbes - Hibbing, St. Louis Co.
2013-NE-N19 Hoyt Lakes Sub Modernization	2014/A	4426	No	MP	Rebuild and reconfigure aged Hoyt Lakes Substation to serve new industrial customer. Hoyt Lakes area, St. Louis Co.
2013-NE-N20 Haines Road Capacitor Bank	2014/C	4427	No	MP	New 115 kV capacitor bank at Haines Road Substation needed for voltage support in the Duluth area, St. Louis Co.
2013-NE-N21 Verndale - Hubbard 115 kV Line	2014/B	2571	Yes	GRE/ MP	New Hubbard-Cat River 115 kV line that will replace 2007-NE-N3. Due to motor starting at pumping station, it was decided to immediately operate at 115 kV. To do so, Hubbard 115 kV bus would need the removal of a 115/34.5 kV transformer. This transformer would be moved to the new proposed Cat River Substation. The 115 kV line is expected to be over 20 miles in length and will serve 34.5 kV load between Verndale and Hubbard.
2013-NE-N22 Osage Area 115 kV Line	2014/B	4378	Yes	GRE	Due to system intact and contingency voltage concerns in the Osage area and the radial aspect of two GRE radial lines, it was decided to build a Hubbard-Elijah-Potato Lake 115 kV system to provide higher reliability to the loads of concern. To do so, Hubbard 115 kV bus would need the removal of a 115/34.5 kV transformer. This transformer would be moved to the new proposed Elijah Substation. The 115 kV line is expected to be over 17 miles in length and will serve 34.5 kV load between Hubbard and Long Lake largely in the Osage area. The Potato Lake-Mantrap radial is expected to be built to 115 kV prior to this project being in service (2009-NE-N7).
2013-NE-N23 39 Line & 16 Line Reconfiguration	2013/B	4428	No	MP	Reconfigure Laskin - Virginia 115 kV Line and Virginia - ETCO - Arrowhead 115 kV Line; easement expiration over mine property requires removal & relocation of the line; Possible alternative to 39 Line Reconfiguration (2013-NE-N13) due to construction issues. Eveleth area, St. Louis Co. PUC Docket No. TL-12-1123

6.4.2 Completed Projects

Some inadequacies in the Northeast Zone that were identified in the 2011 Biennial Report were alleviated through the construction and completion of specific projects over the last two years or can be moved to the completed category because changed circumstances have eliminated the need for the project. Information about each of the completed projects is summarized briefly in the table below. More information about these projects and inadequacies can be found in the 2011 Biennial Report. Also, additional information is available by contacting the designated person for the utility that was responsible for constructing the project.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/App	MTEP Project Number	CON	Utility	Description	Date Completed PUC Docket
2003-NE-N4 Central Lakes Area	2005/A	600	No	GRE/MP	Southdale-Scearcyville 115 kV line (aka Baxter-Southdale) and Scearcyville Substation	July 2012
2003-NE-N5 Pierz-Genola Area	2010/A	1018	No	GRE/MP	MP Little Falls to GRE Little Falls 115 kV line PUC Docket No. TL-11-318	April 2013
2003-NE-N9 Nashwauk Area	2011/B 2012/A	2569	No	GRE	Shoal Lake 115 kV distribution	October 2013
2005-CX-1 Bemidji - Grand Rapids 230 kV Line	2006/A	279	Yes	CapX	Added new 230 kV line between Boswell and Wilton (Bemidji - Grand Rapids 230 kV line) to support the Bemidji area and the Red River Valley during winter peak conditions. This project is located in both the Northwest and Northeast zones. PUC Docket No. TL-07-1327.	November 2012
2005-NE-N2 Mesaba IGCC Generator	2007/A	1025	No	Excelsior Energy^[1]	Mesaba IGCC Generator outlet lines, Grand Rapids area, Itasca Co.	2005-NE-N2
2007-NE-N3 Hubbard - Menahga Area	2011/A	2571	NA	GRE	MN Pipeline-Menahga 115 kV line (operated at 34.5 kV). This project is impacted by pipeline pumping station voltage drop issues. Consideration was giving to extending the line to Hubbard or to the RDO-Osage 34.5 kV line.	Cancelled, replaced with the Hubbard - Cat River project 2013-NE-N21
2007-NE-N5 Pokegama Area	2010/A	2576	No	GRE	Pokegama 115 kV distribution substation	Dec. 2011
2009-NE-N3 Line 28 Reroute	2010/A	3091	No	MP	Relocate line, Nashwauk area, Itasca Co.	May 2013
2011-NE-N3 Swan Lake Sub	2010/A	2762	No	MP	New Swan Lake load serving Substation, Duluth, St. Louis Co.	April 2013
2011 NE-N4 LSPI 34.5 kV	2009/A	2763	No	MP	Added LSPI 34.5 kV Transformer, Duluth, St. Louis Co.	March 2012
2011-NE-N6	2011/A	3374	No	MP	Re-energized existing Substation, Taconite MN area, Itasca Co.	April 2012
2011-NE-N7 25 Line Tap	2012/A	3532	No	MP	25L tap, constructed 115/34.5 kV substation, Hibbing MN area, St. Louis Co.	July 2012
2013-NE-N11 Arrowhead 230 kV Cap Bank	2012/A	3843	No	MP	New 40 MVAR capacitor bank needed for voltage support at HVDC terminal; Hermantown, St. Louis Co.	December 2012
2013-NE-N12 Bison 230 kV Cap Bank	2012/A	3842	No	MP	New 40 MVAR capacitor bank needed for voltage support at Bison Wind Energy Center; New Salem, North Dakota	August 2012

[1] Excelsior Energy is an independent energy development company that has proposed to construct and operate the Mesaba Energy Project and is not a MTO member. See Section 6.3.8 of the 2009 Biennial Report for more information.

6.5 West Central Zone

6.5.1 Needed Projects

The following table provides a list of transmission needs identified in the West Central Zone by MISO utilities. There were no projects identified in this zone by non-MISO utilities.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/App	MTEP Project Number	CON?	Utility	Project Description and Timeframe
2003-WC-N7 Panther Area	NA	NA	Yes	GRE	Brownton-McLeod 115 kV line. This project has been delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth.
2003-WC-N8 Douglas County - Paynesville-Waklefield-West St. Cloud	NA	NA	Yes	GRE	Alexandria-West St. Cloud 115 kV line. This project has been delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth. CapX Fargo-Monticello may alter this project significantly.
2005-CX-1 Monticello - St. Cloud - Fargo 345 kV Line	2008/A	286	Yes	CapX	Add new 345 kV Line between Monticello and Fargo to support the Red River Valley and other growing towns along the Interstate 94 corridor during peak load conditions. This project is located in both the Northwest and West Central zones. Phase 1 - Monticello to St Cloud complete/ Phase 2 - St Cloud to Alexandria Phase 3 - Alexandria - Fargo construction underway PUC Docket No. CN-06-1115 and TL-09-1056 and TL-08-1474.
2005-CX-2 Brookings, S.D. to Hampton 345 kV Line	2011/A	1203	Yes	CapX	Add new 345 kV line between Brookings, South Dakota, and Southeast corner of Twin Cities. This line is located in the Southwest, West Central, and Twin Cities Zones. PUC Docket No. CN-06-1115 and TL-08-1474. Timeframe: construction underway
2009-WC-N4 Sartell Distribution Substation	2010/A	2564	No	GRE	Sartell 115 kV distribution substation and 115 kV line Timeframe: 2014
2009-WC-N5 Paynesville - Wakefield - Maple Lake Area	NA	NA	No	GRE	Watkins 115/69 kV source This project has been delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth. Timeframe: 2014
2009-WC-N6 Elk River - Becker Area	2012/C	2691	No	GRE	Orrock 345/115 substation and Hwy 10 115 kV lines to Enterprise Park and Liberty. Orrock land is currently being sought. Project will move forward as load grows on HWY 10 corridor between Anoka and Becker. Projects are expected to move within next 5 to 10 years. Timeframe: 2014
2009-WC-N7 Brooten - Lowery	NA	NA	No	XEL	This project is to reconductor an existing 69 kV line to address low voltage along Westport to Lowrey. Timeframe: 2014
2011-WC-N1 Highway 212 Corridor Project	2011/A	3310	Yes	XEL	This project is to complete the conversion of 69 kV line between Scott County and West Waconia substation to 115 kV. The scope also involves building new West Creek distribution substation and converting the Victoria and Augusta substations to 115 kV and retiring Chaska downtown substation. Timeframe: 2014
2011-WC-N2 MN Valley - Maynard - Kerkhoven tap rebuild	2011/A	3312	No	XEL	This project is to upgrade the Minn Valley - Maynard - Kerkhoven tap 115 kV line to 795 ACSS conductor Timeframe: 2014
2011-WC-N3 Brownton -Winthrop	2012/A		No	XEL	New 1 mile 69 kV line from Brownton to GRE (Winthrop - Hassen) 69 kV line
2011-WC-N4 Corridor Upgrade Panther Area	C	2177	Yes	XEL	Convert Minn Valley - Panther - McLeod - Blue Lake 230 kV line to Double circuit 345 kV from Hazel to McLeod to West Waconia to Blue Lake. Timeframe: Well beyond 2018. See Section 8.7
2011-WC-N5 Rebuild 69 kV Maple Lake - Watkins	2009/A	2309	No	XEL	This project is to rebuild 20 miles of 69 kV line from Maple Lake to Watkins in West Central Minnesota Timeframe: 2014
2013-WC-N1 Upgrade St. Stephen Substation	2014/C (seeking A)	4014	No	GRE-XEL	Convert 69 kV St. Stephen substation to 115 kV service. Will include converting approximately 1 mile of existing 69 kV transmission line to 115 kV. This will remove load from West St. Cloud transformer which is overloaded during peak times or during n-1 outages.
2013-WC-N2 Rebuild 115 kV Line Quarry - St. Cloud	2014/C (seeking A)	4379	No	GRE-XEL	Build approximately 2 ½ miles of 115 kV line between Quarry 345/115 kV Substation to West St. Cloud 115/69 substation. This is for a C3 event that would result in significant load shed in area NW of St. Cloud. Potential cascade tripping in a confined area may occur.
2013-WC-N3 Priam Substation	2014/C (seeking A)	4380	No	WMU/ GRE	Build a 115/69 kV substation to be named Priam three miles west of Willmar. Move Willmar 115/69 kV transformer to this new substation. The purpose of this substation is to remove Willmar load from a single delivery location.
2013-WC-N4 Replace 41.6 kV line Herman - Nashua	2012/A	3665	No	OTP	Poor condition of facilities between Herman and Nashua on the OTP 41.6 kV system is leading to the replacement of 16 miles of existing 41.6 kV line.

6.5.2 Completed Projects

Some inadequacies in the West Central Zone that were identified in the 2011 Biennial Report were alleviated through the construction and completion of specific projects over the last two years or can be moved to the completed category because changed circumstances have eliminated the need for the project. Information about each of the completed projects is summarized briefly in the table below. More information about these projects and inadequacies can be found in the 2011 Biennial Report. Also, additional information is available by contacting the designated person for the utility that was responsible for constructing the project.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/ App	MTEP Project Number	CON	Utility	Description	Date Completed PUC Docket
2003-WC-N5 Willmar - Litchfield - Paynesville Area	NA	NA	No	GRE	Spicer 230/69 kV source	Cancelled and replaced with a 69 kV project that met multiple needs.
2007-WC-N2 Morris 230/115 kV Transformer	NA	NA	No	Western Area Power Admin.	Morris transformer	Cancelled due to cancellation of Big Stone II generation project.
2007-WC-N3 Morris - Grant County 115 kV Line	NA	NA	No	OTP/MRES	Morris-Grant County 115 kV line	Cancelled due to cancellation of Big Stone II generation project.
2007-WC-N4 West Central Minn. Gen Outlet	NA	NA	No	Various Minn. Utilities	West Central Minnesota Generation Outlet	Cancelled due to cancellation of Big Stone II generation project.
2009-WC-N1 *Osakis - Sauk Center*	2009/A	2158	No	XEL	Upgrade Sauk Center - Osakis 69 kV line to a lower impedance.	2013
2009-WC-N3 Maynard - Kerkhoven tap	NA	NA	No	XEL	Rebuild Maynard-Kerkhoven 115 kV line Timeframe: 2014	Duplicate. See 2011-WC-N2
2011-WC-N6 Rebuild 69 kV Grove Lake - Glenwood	2009/A	2308	No	XEL	This project is to rebuild 13 miles of 69 kV line from Grove Lake switching station to Glenwood to 477 ACSR	2013
2011-WC-N7 St. Cloud - Mayhew Lake 115 kV Line	2009/A	2307	No	XEL	(1) New 4 mile 115 kV line from St. Cloud tap to Mayhew Lake substation. (2) Convert Benton Co - St. Cloud double circuit to bifurcated line and reterminate into Mayhew Lake substation (3) Convert St. Cloud tap to Granite City into bifurcated line (this results in single 115 kV circuit from St. Cloud to Granite City).	Cancelled due to permanent loss of customer load.

6.6 Twin Cities Zone

6.6.1 Needed Projects

The following table provides a list of transmission needs identified in the Twin Cities Zone by MISO utilities. There were no projects identified in this zone by non-MISO utilities.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/App	MTEP Project Number	CON?	Utility	Project Description and Timeframe
2003-TC-N1 Aldrich to St. Louis Park	NA	NA	No	XEL	Upgrade not necessary at this time.
2003-TC-N10 Twin Cities 345/115 kV Transformer Capacity	NA	NA	NA	XEL	Twin Cities 345/115 kV transformer capacity approaching emergency loading levels. No specific project identified.
2003-TC-N12 Enterprise Park	2005/A	599	No	GRE	Crooked Lake-Enterprise Park 115 kV line. PUC Docket No. TL-11-915
2005-TC-N7 Twin Cities Fault Current Issue	NA	NA	No	XEL	No specific needs have been identified at this time.
2005-CX-2 Brookings - Hampton 345 kV Line	2011/A	1203	Yes	CapX	Add new 345 kV line between Brookings, South Dakota, and Southeast corner of Twin Cities. This line is located in the Southwest, West Central, and Twin Cities Zones. PUC Docket No. CN-06-1115 and TL-08-1474. Timeframe: construction underway
2005-CX-3 Hampton - La Crosse 345 kV Line	2008/A	1024	Yes	CapX	Add new 345 kV line between Southeast corner of Twin Cities, Rochester, and La Crosse, Wisconsin. This line is located in the Twin Cities and Southeast Zones. PUC Docket No. CN-06-1115 and TL-09-1448. Timeframe: construction underway
2007-TC-N1 Southwest Metro 115 kV Development	2012/A	3572-GRE	Yes	XEL/ GRE	Augusta and Victoria conversion. This project is coordinated with the Xcel Scott County-West Waconia project. The permitting process is underway with the final hearing having been held September 2013. PUC Docket Nos. CN-09-1390 and TL-10-249. Timeframe: Construction underway
2007-TC-N4 Arsenal Development	NA	NA	TBD	XEL	Load serving infrastructure investments needed to meet growth in area demand.
2009-TC-N1 Dakota Electric Dist. Substations	2010/A	2570	No	GRE	Ravenna 161 kV distribution substation. This project is expected to be in service in early 2015.
2009-TC-N2 Elko - New Market & Cleary Lake Areas	NA	NA	Yes	GRE	Glendale-Lake Marion-Helena 115 kV plan. PUC Docket No. CN-12-1235 and TL-12-1245
2009-TC-N5 Scott County - Carver County - New Prague	NA	NA	Maybe	GRE	Carver County-Assumption-Belle Plaine 115 kV line. This project has been delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth. Xcel Energy's Sheas Lake project may delay the need of this project, although portions of the line may need to be rebuilt due to age.
2011-TC-N1 Kohlman Lake - Long Lake double circuit	2011/A	3314	No	XEL	This project is to convert the Kohlman Lake - Long Lake 115 kV bifurcated line to double circuit with separate line terminations at Kohlman Lake and Long Lake
2011-TC-N2 Chisago County Transformer	2011/A	3315	No	XEL	This project is to install a 2nd 345/115 kV transformer at Chisago County
2011-TC-N3 Upgrade Riverside - Apache Line	2011/A	3316	No	XEL	This project is to upgrade Riverside - Apache line to 360 MVA and upgrade Apache switch to 2000A
2011-TC-N4 Double circuit Goose Lake - Kohlman Lake	2011/A	3317	No	XEL	This project is to convert the single circuit line between Goose Lake and Kohlman Lake to double circuit. PUC Docket No. TL-12-1151
2011-TC-N5 Parkers Lake	2011/A	3318	No	XEL	This project replaces some of the 115 kV breakers at Parkers Lake with 63 kA rated breakers.
2011-TC-N8 Rebuild Black Dog - Savage	2011/A	3326	No	XEL	This line will rebuild the 115 kV line from Black Dog to Savage to 795 ACSS conductor.
2011-TC-N9 Medina - Plymouth Upgrade	2011/A	3454	Yes, could be more than 10 miles long	XEL/ GRE	This project will upgrade the 69 kV line from GRE's Medina to Plymouth substations. A new switching station will be added on GRE's 115 kV line between Parkers Lake and Elm Creek north or south of the Plymouth Substation depending on the permitted location. Joint project with GRE P3394 at Medina. PUC Docket Nos. CN-12-113 and TL-11-152
2011-TC-N10 Kohlman Lake Sub	2012/A		No	XEL	Install 30 MVAR reactor at Kohlman Lake substation
2011-TC-N11 Chisago County Sub	2012/A		No	XEL	Install 40 MVAR reactor at Chisago County substation
2011-TC-N12 Red Rock Sub	2012/A		No	XEL	Install 30 MVAR reactor at Red Rock substation
2011-TC-N13 Upgrade Lake Marion - Burnsville	2010/B	3121	No	XEL	Upgrade 13 miles of 115 kV line between Lake Marion and Burnsville to higher capacity
2011-TC-N14 New Lake - Chicago Sub	2009/A	2772	Yes	XEL	New 115 kV distribution substation with four terminations tapping the Elliot Park - Southtown line, 1.5 miles of 115 kV underground conductor connecting to a new distribution substation near Lake and Chicago. Part of Hiawatha Project PUC Docket Nos. CN-10-694 and TL-09-38.
2011-TC-N15	2008/A	675	No, project scope has changed	XEL	Upgrade 14.3 miles from Westgate-Deephaven-Excelsior-Scott County from 69kV to 115 kV, Uprate 2 miles from Westgate-Eden Prairie 115kV #1 and #2 to 400 MVA. Substation work at Westgate, Deephaven, Excelsior and Scott County. Timeframe: 2014-2015
2013-TC-N1 Scott County Sub	2013	4306	No	XEL	Install 2x 345-115 kV transformers at Scott County substation and build "in-out" tap into the substation from Helena - Blue Lake 345 kV line
2013-TC-N2 Wilson Sub	NA	NA	No	XEL	Convert the Wilson Substation into a Breaker and ½ design for increased reliability
2013-TC-N3 Elm Creek Sub	NA	NA	No	XEL	Interconnect a second distribution transformer at Elm Creek
2013-TC-N4 Lawrence Creek Sub	NA	NA	No	XEL	Install a 25 MVAR reactor at the Lawrence Creek substation

6.6.2 Completed Projects

Some inadequacies in the Twin Cities Zone that were identified in the 2011 Biennial Report were alleviated through the construction and completion of specific projects over the last two years or can be moved to the completed category because changed circumstances have eliminated the need for the project. Information about each of the completed projects is summarized briefly in the table below. More information about these projects and inadequacies can be found in the 2011 Biennial Report. Also, additional information is available by contacting the designated person for the utility that was responsible for constructing the project.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/ App	MTEP Project Number	CON	Utility	Description	Date Completed PUC Docket
2009-TC-N3 Parkwood - Coon Creek Area	NA	NA	No	GRE	Parkwood-Coon Creek second 115 kV circuit.	Cancelled. Withdrawn in favor of the Orrock development to Enterprise Park to address NERC Cat C3 concerns and to provide load growth opportunities between Elk River and Anoka.
2009-TC-N6 Plymouth - Medina 115 kV rebuild	NA	NA	No	XEL/ GRE	Rebuild 69 kV to 115 kV in cities of Plymouth and Medina.	This project is covered under Tracking Number 2011-TC-N9. PUC Docket No. TL-11-52.
2011-TC-N6 Chemolite Project	2011/A	3321	No	XEL	This project adds two breakers at Chemolite to insure only one line at a time is removed from service during a breaker failure.	June 2011
2011-TC-N7 Orono Project	2011/A	3325	No	XEL	This project moved the supply for Orono from its current 69 kV supply to the 115 kV line from Medina to Crow River.	November 2013
2011-TC-N16 Plato Project	2009/A	1952	No	XEL	This project is to add a 10 MVAR cap bank at Plato. This project is required to convert the existing 69 kV line from Young America - Glencoe to 115 kV (part of Glencoe - West Waconia 115 kV line project).	2013

6.7 Southwest Zone

6.7.1 Needed Projects

The following table provides a list of transmission needs identified in the Southwest Zone by MISO utilities. There were no projects identified in this zone by non-MISO utilities.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/App	MTEP Project Number	CON?	Utility	Project Description and Timeframe
2005-CX-2 Brookings - Hampton 345 kV Line	2011/A	1203	Yes	CapX	Add new 345 kV line between Brookings, South Dakota, and Southeast corner of Twin Cities. This line is located in the Southwest, West Central, and Twin Cities Zones. PUC Docket No. CN-06-1115 and TL-08-1474. Timeframe: construction underway
2005-SW-N1 Worthington Area	2012/A	3574	No	GRE/ ITCM	Worthington-Elk 69 kV rebuild to 115 kV. In service expected November 2014. Upgrade Worthington Area Transformer by replacing existing 161/69 kV transformers at Elk. This portion of 2005-SW-N1 was completed October 2011.
2007-SW-N1 Storden Wind Generation Interconnect	B	1741	No	ITCM	MISO project G517 Storden Wind Interconnection - Specific upgrades required for project to be determined by MISO Restudy and pending FERC orders.
2009-SW-N1 Fenton 69 kV Interconnect	2009	NA	TBD	XEL	Fenton 69 kV Interconnection to serve several towns between Pipestone and Marshall.
2011-SW-N1 Brookings - Hampton 345 kV Line	2011/A	1203	Yes	XEL/ GRE	Construct Brookings Cty-Lyon Cty (Single Ckt 345 kV); Lyon Cty-Cedar Mountain-Helena (Double Ckt 345 kV); Helena-Lake Marion-Hampton Corner (Single Ckt 345 kV); Lyon Cty-Hazel (Single Ckt 345 kV); Hazel-Minnesota Valley (Single Ckt 345 kV, initially operate at 230 kV); Cedar Mountain-Franklin (Single Ckt 115 kV). Install 345/115 kV transformers at Lyon County, Cedar Mountain, and Chub Lake. Install two 115/69 kV transformers at Franklin substation. Conductor upgrade on Chub Lake (Lake Marion)-Kenrick-Ritter Park-Dakota Heights-Burnsville 115 kV line. Conductor upgrade on Arlington-Green Isle 69 kV line. Equipment upgrades on Lake Marion-Lake Marion Tap 69 kV line. Chub Lake 115/69 kV Transformer upgrade. Part of 2005-CX-2
2011-SW-N2 Pipestone Upgrade	2011/A	3309	No	XEL	Upgrade the wave traps and line switches at Buffalo Ridge to 2000 A going to Lake Yankton and Pipestone. Retap the Pipestone CTs to 2000 A going to Buffalo Ridge.
2011-SW-N3 Split Rock Breakers	2011/A	3319	No	XEL	This project replaces some of the 115 kV breakers at Split Rock with 63 kA rated breakers.
2011-SW-N4 Split Rock Reactor	2011/A	3320	No	XEL	This project is needed to replace the failed 50 MVAR Split Rock reactor and associated breaker.
2011-SW-N5 Fenton Substation	2010/A	2767	No	XEL	This project is to install a new 115/69 kV transformer at Fenton substation. Break the existing 69 kV line between Chandler Tap and Lake Wilson to create an in and out to the Fenton substation.
2011-SW-N6 G520 Network Upgrades	B See: https://www.misoenergy.org/Library/Repository/Study/Generator%20Interconnection/GI-G491_G520-SIS_Restudy_Report.pdf	2107	No	XEL	Install new 3-position 115 kV substations (tapping Lake Yankton - Lyon County 115 kV line) with breakers, switches, buswork, steel, foundations, control house and associated equipment. Install new loop in-and-out tap, 3.5 miles of double circuit, 115 kV transmission line.
2011-SW-N8 G349 Upgrades	2006/A	1458	No	XEL	Located in Southwestern Minnesota around the Buffalo Ridge area. Upgrades to Yankee substation, Brookings Co 345/115 substation, Hazel Creek 53 MVAR capacitor, Brookings-Yankee 115 kV line.
2011-SW-N11 Franklin Upgrade	2010/B	3099	No	XEL	115/69 kV transformers 1 and 2 to 112 MVA as part of the CapX underlying system upgrade.
2013-SW-N1 Heron Lake Capacitors	2012/A	3528	No	ITCM	Heron Lake - Install 150 MVA capacitor bank
2013-SW-N2 Heron Lake - Lakefield 161 kV Rebuild	2008/A	1618	No	ITCM	Rebuild Heron Lake to Lakefield 161 kV line to 446 MVA
2013-SW-N3 Freeborn - Glenworth 161 kV Line	Future - 2014/A	TBD	Yes	ITCM	New Freeborn to Glenworth 161 kV line in Freeborn County. Studies indicate the line will be a required transmission upgrade for project G870, a 200 MW wind-powered generating facility currently connected to the 161 kV transmission system at Freeborn County switching station CON App: 2014/2015 Inservice Date: 2017/2018
2013-SW-N4 MISO MVP Project #3	2011/A	3205	Yes	ITCM	New 345 kV line from Lakefield Junction through Jackson, Martin, and Faribult Counties, to new 345 kV substation in Kossuth County, IA. MVP #3 also includes 345 kV lines in IA from Kossuth Co. to Obrien Co. and Kossuth Co to Webster Co. MVP #3 lines include 161 kV rebuild as underbuild along portions of the route. PUC Docket No. CN-12-1053 Inservice Date: 2017
2013-SW-N5 Yankee - Fenton Reactors	2013	4305	No	XEL	Install 25 MVAR reactors at Yankee and Fenton.
2013-SW-N6 Veseli Project	2013/C	4227	No	XEL	Install breaker station at Veseli 4 breakers straight bus interconnect with new double circuit 69kVGRE line from New Market.This project will align with GRE's New Market & Cleary lake projects
2013-SW-N7 Jordon Project	2013/C	4228	No	XEL	Install 3 breakers at Jordan to avoid multi-terminal protection issue as a result of new GRE double circuit line from New Market.This project will align with GRE's Elko New Market & Cleary Lake Areas projects
2013-SW-N8 Fort Ridgley Substation	2013/seeking A	4341	No	XEL	Install a new 20 MVAR capacitor bank at the Fort Ridgley substation and increase the existing capacitor to 20 MVAR.

6.7.2 Completed Projects

Some inadequacies in the Southwest Zone that were identified in the 2011 Biennial Report were alleviated through the construction and completion of specific projects over the last two years or can be moved to the completed category because changed circumstances have eliminated the need for the project. Information about each of the completed projects is summarized briefly in the table below. More information about these projects and inadequacies can be found in the 2011 Biennial Report. Also, additional information is available by contacting the designated person for the utility that was responsible for constructing the project.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/ App	MTEP Project Number	CON	Utility	Description	Date Completed PUC Docket
2009-SW-N2 Fulda - Magnolia	NA	NA	No	GRE	Lismore conversion to 115 kV	Cancelled. Delayed indefinitely due to drop in load growth and distribution co-op prefers to be served from 24 kV system.
2009-SW-N3 Lakefield - Adams 345 kV Upgrade	2011/B	3213	No	ITCM	Lakefield Adams 345 kV system upgrade	Cancelled. Replaced by MVP projects.
2009-SW-N4 Redwood Falls Load Serving Substation	2010/A	2167	No	SMP	Redwood Falls Area load-serving 115 kV project	October 2012
2011-SW-N7 G491 Upgrades	B	2115	No	XEL	One new 120 MVA, 118-36.2 kV transformer, three new 115 kV breakers and associated disconnect switches, one new 34.5 kV transformer low side main breaker and associated disconnect switches, control house expansion, structural steel and foundations associated with this new equipment, control and protection equipment associated with these new installations.	Project Cancelled.
2011-SW-N9 G358 Winnebago Project	2008/A	2108	No	ITCM	New 161 kV switching station in Faribault Co. on the Winnebago to Winnco 161 line to provide interconnection facilities for MISO Project G358.	June 2012
2011-SW-N10 Sheas Lake Project	2009/A	2156	No	XEL	1) New 345/115/69 kV Sheas Lake substation between Wilmarth and proposed Helena substation. 2) One mile of 69 kV double circuit to connect the existing LeSueur 69 kV lines into proposed Sheas Lake substation	April 2013 Same project as 2007-SE-N3

6.8 Southeast Zone

6.8.1 Needed Projects

The following table provides a list of transmission needs identified in the Southeast Zone by MISO utilities. There were no projects identified in this zone by non-MISO utilities.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/App	MTEP Project Number	CON?	Utility	Project Description and Timeframe
2005-SE-N4 Dodge County Wind	NA	NA	TBD	XEL	Additional outlet for possible future wind generation
2005-CX-3 Hampton - La Crosse 345 kV Line	2008/A	1024	Yes	CapX	Add new 345 kV line between Southeast corner of Twin Cities, Rochester, and La Crosse Wisconsin. This line is located in the Twin Cities and Southeast Zones. PUC Docket No. CN-06-1115 and TL-09-1448. Timeframe: under construction
2011-SE-N1 New Prague Substation	2011/A	3313	No	XEL	This project is to install a 69 kV 1 way switch to provide SMMPA's New Prague substation a new interconnection point. The existing interconnection would require cutting the line jumpers when the New Prague - Veseli line is out of service.
2011-SE-N3 Austin Area Load Serving	2013/A	4007	No	SMP	Murphy Creek 161/69kV Substation. Expected in-service date: December 2013.
2011-SE-N5 Arlington - Green Isle Rebuild	2012/A		No	XEL	Re-build 13 miles of 69 kV line from Arlington - Green Isle. This is an underlying project associated with the MVP Brookings - Hampton 345 kV Line
2011-SE-N6 Crystal Foods	2012/A		No	XEL	New 5.4 MVAR capacitor bank at Crystal Foods in Arlington, MN.
2011-SE-N7 Rochester Upgrades for CapX 2020	2008/A	1024	Yes	XEL/ SMP/ Non-MISO	Add North Rochester - N. Hills 161 kV line. Add North Rochester-Chester 161 kV line. Add 345/161 kV transformers at Hampton Corner, North Rochester, and North Lacrosse.
2013-SE-N1 Byron Transformer	2013/C	4260	No	SMP	Byron TR9 345/161Transformer failed Aug 2012 and is now being replaced by a Non-LTC transformer. Expected in-service date: January 2014.

6.9 Completed Projects

Some inadequacies in the Southeast Zone that were identified in the 2011 Biennial Report were alleviated through the construction and completion of specific projects over the last two years or can be moved to the completed category because changed circumstances have eliminated the need for the project. Information about each of the completed projects is summarized briefly in the table below. More information about these projects and inadequacies can be found in the 2011 Biennial Report. Also, additional information is available by contacting the designated person for the utility that was responsible for constructing the project.

MPUC Tracking Number	MTEP Year/ App	MTEP Project Number	CON	Utility	Description	Date Completed PUC Docket
2007-SE-N3	2009	2156	No	XEL	1) New 345/115/69 kV Sheas Lake substation between Wilmarth and Proposed Helena substation. 2) 1 mile of 69 kV double circuit to connect the existing LeSueur 69 kV lines into proposed Sheas Lake substation.	April 2013 Same project as 2011-SW-N10
2009-SE-N2 Mankato - Minnesota Lakes Area	NA	NA	Yes	GRE	St. Clair-Loon Lake 115 kV line	Cancelled due to lack of load growth in the area and other alternatives being studied in Loon Lake-Owatonna area
2009-SE-N5 St. Peter Area	2010/A	2166	No	SMP	St Peter Area Load Serving 69 kV Project	June 2012
2011-SE-N2 Adams Substation	2011/A	3474	No	XEL	Installed a 50 MVAR reactor at Adams substation on the Pleasant Valley line, along with a breaker and disconnect switch	December 2012
2011-SE-N4 MISO Project G870	B	3195	No	ITCM	Upgraded Freeborn to Hayward 161 kV for MISO project G870.	April 2012
2011-SE-N8 G362 Network upgrade	2009/A	2178		XEL	New 161 kV line from Pleasant Valley - Byron 161 kV line	2013