Minn. R. agency 138, ch. 7848, pt. 7848.1400

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 20, November 12, 2024

Part 7848.1400 - REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR CERTIFICATION OF HIGH-VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINES

Subpart 1.Highly complex or controversial lines.

Any biennial transmission projects report must comply with both the filing requirements of this chapter and the filing requirements of the certificate of need rules, parts 7849.0010 to 7849.0400, for certification of each high-voltage transmission line that (1) has the capability of transmitting at least 300 kilovolts and has at least 25 miles of its length in Minnesota, (2) has the capability of transmitting at least 200 kilovolts and has at least 50 miles of its length in Minnesota, or (3) crosses the Minnesota border into another state or Canada.

Subp. 2.Filing requirements.

Any biennial transmission projects report that seeks certification of a high-voltage transmission line in the course of the biennial transmission report proceeding must include the information listed below for each high-voltage transmission line proposed:

A. the transmission inadequacies the line is designed to address and every service area the line would benefit;

B. a detailed description of the line, including its length, supporting structures, number of phases, types of conductors, maximum power-carrying capacity for each line segment, projected load during peak-load conditions, projected line losses during peak-load conditions and during average conditions, and induced voltages during operation;

C. a map showing the end points of the line and existing transmission facilities in the area;

D. a narrative description of the major features of the region between the end points, emphasizing the area within three miles of the end points;

E. the estimated cost of constructing the line and the effect of those costs on rates;

F. the estimated annual cost of operating and maintaining the line and the effect of those costs on rates;

G. a summary of the input the utility has gathered from local government officials, tribal government officials, and members of the public on the proposed line;

H. the expected depreciation and service lives of the line;

I. an analysis of the effect of the line on service reliability, both within the utility's assigned service area and throughout the state;

J. an analysis of the economic, environmental, and social consequences of the line;

K. a description of measures generally available to mitigate any adverse environmental impacts from the construction, operation, and maintenance of a transmission line of the size and voltage proposed and a description of any additional mitigation measures likely to be required for the proposed line;

L. a description of right-of-way requirements for the line at the voltage proposed, a description of land use patterns between the end points, a discussion of routing considerations that may influence subsequent routing proceedings, and the best routing information available;

M. an analysis of the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of remedying, in whole or in part, the transmission inadequacies the line is designed to address, through any combination of conservation, energy conservation improvements, and load management measures;

N. the likely consequences of not building the line;

O. the energy forecasts or other modeling upon which the need for the line is based and a description of the methodology underlying each forecast or model;

P. an account of all promotional activities that may have contributed to the need for the line;

Q. a list of all other state agencies, federal agencies, local governments, and tribal governments whose approval of the proposed line must be obtained for it to proceed, and an analysis of the line's compliance with their policies, rules, and regulations;

R. an analysis of the likely effects of present or future energy conservation programs authorized under Minnesota Statutes, sections 216C.05 and 216C.30, or other state and federal laws, on long-term energy demand and the long-term need for the line;

S. an analysis of the relationship between the line and overall state energy needs, as described in the most recent state energy policy and conservation report prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.18;

T. a list and analysis of all feasible transmission and nontransmission alternatives to the line, including, but not necessarily limited to, increasing the efficiency of existing facilities, upgrading existing facilities, adding new lines of different voltages or locations, double-circuiting existing lines, rebuilding existing lines, using distributed generation, using small-scale generation near the load center, utilizing load management programs, and implementing energy efficiency programs;

U. a list of all transmission and nontransmission alternatives to the line that were considered and rejected as not feasible and the grounds on which they were determined to be not feasible; and

V. a discussion of the factors listed in Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.243, subdivision 3, to the extent that they are not addressed in response to items A through U.

Minn. R. agency 138, ch. 7848, pt. 7848.1400

27 SR 1820

Statutory Authority: MS s 216A.05; 216B.08; 216B.09