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After a long deliberation, the Public Utilities Commission voted to bury the lines under 28th Street. We're very excited about this decision, and thank the numerous community groups and individuals that donated their time, money, and energy towards achieving this result. THANK YOU!!!
The PUC did not rule on who should pay for the extra cost to bury the lines. However, Xcel has already said they would like to charge the entire rate base (all customers), and our understanding of the law is that the entire rate base should indeed pay for transmission lines. There will be more news regarding the public comment process related to this issue, and we'll do our best to keep you updated. The Coalition and will also play a role in helping to design the sub-stations.
From MPR:
Mirzayi noted the company did support the decision to place the lines underground. The Hiawatha will carry 55 megawatts of power, enough to serve 50,000 customers.
"This part of the city continues to show load growth," said Mirzayi.
Burying the lines will add $13 million to construction costs. The total project is estimated to cost $40 million.
In 30 days, Xcel must file a proposal for how the costs will be shared among rate payers. The company will continue to work with community groups on landscape and design plans for the power substations.
Mirzayi estimates construction will take 18 months, and the lines will be operational in 2014.
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 Power lines on the Greenway? Not if we can help it.Public Utilities Commission Hearings regarding Xcel Energy's Hiawatha Project January 10th and January 12th, 2012 9:30 a.m. in the Large Hearing Room on the 3rd floor of the Metro Square Building, 121 7th Place E, Suite 350 in Saint Paul We know this is a crazy time of year, so we're sending a few extra e-news updates to make sure all of our members and friends have heard about one of the most important issues facing the Greenway. Hearings that will decide the fate of the high-voltage power lines in the Greenway have been scheduled for January 10th and 12th, and we'd like as many of you as possible to show your support by attending. We are strongly encouraging the PUC to uphold the Administrative Law Judge's recommendation that the power lines should be buried under 28th Street, not routed overhead and not on the Greenway. See artist's rendering (left) for an illustration of how high-voltage lines would affect the Greenway. |
