NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND
AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
In the Matter of the Application of Xcel Energy for a Site Permit for the up to 250 MW Sherco 3 Solar Energy Generating System in Sherburne County, Minnesota.
PUC Docket Number: E-002/GS-23-217
OAH Docket Number: 24-2500-39813
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on the application of Xcel Energy for a site permit for its proposed 250-megawatt (MW) solar energy generating system in Sherburne County.
The proposed solar facilities would be constructed within a project area encompassing approximately 1,780 acres located in the city of Clear Lake and Clear Lake Township. The primary components of the solar facility would include bifacial photovoltaic panels affixed to a linear axis tracking rack system, inverters, transformers, above-ground and below-ground electric collection and communication lines, access roads, security fencing, eight weather stations, and collection-line corridor facilities. The solar facilities would interconnect with the previously permitted Sherco Solar West Substation.
As indicated by Xcel Energy, the proposed solar facilities will partially replace the energy production of the Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, which was retired in 2023 as a result of the Commission-approved 2016-2030 Integrated Resource Plan.
Online Hearing via WebEx
Date: May 7, 2024
Time: 6PM
Join by WebEx (Webinar) Link: minnesota.webex.com
Webinar Number: 2491 662 1824
Webinar Password: shercosolar3 (74372676 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Toll Free
Access Code: 2491 662 1824
If you are joining the meeting via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the meeting, use the chat or raised-hand functions to send a message to the meeting moderator. If you are joining the meeting by phone, press *3 on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, your line will be unmuted, and you will be able to ask questions and provide comments.
Additional information and instructions are available at: https://mn.gov/puc/activities/meetings/webex/
In-Person Hearings
Date: May 9, 2024
Time: 6PM
Location: Becker Community Center
11500 Sherburne Avenue
Becker, MN 55308
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HdPf1Fpfs1tPbgdJ6
If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these hearings, 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 hearing is canceled due to bad weather or other call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc.
Public Hearing Information
The public hearings will be presided over by the Honorable Kristien Butler, an administrative law judge with the Office of Administrative Hearings, who will provide the Commission with a summary of public comments.
The purpose of the public hearings is to obtain public input on the proposed project and compile the record for the Commission to consider in making a final decision on the site permit application. Specifically, interested persons will have the opportunity to: (1) ask questions of state staff and the applicant; (2) offer oral and written comments on the merits of the proposed project and on the environmental assessment; and (3) suggest possible conditions to be considered for inclusion in the site permit.
• Comments received at the hearings and during the comment period will be used to inform the record and help the Commission make its final decision.
• The information presented will be the same at all in-person and online hearings.
• The hearings 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 hearing, whichever occurs first.
• Members of the public may participate without the necessity of intervening as a party; representation by legal counsel is permitted but not required.
Comment Period
Written comments will be accepted through May 22, 2024, by 4:30 p.m. Please include the docket number in all communications. Comments received after the close of the comment period may or may not be considered by the Commission.
Topics for Comment
• Should the Commission grant a site permit for the proposed solar energy generating system?
• If granted, what additional conditions or requirements should be included in the site permit?
Submit Comments
Online https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/public-comments
Email consumer.puc@state.mn.us
U.S. Mail Consumer Affairs Office
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place East, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101
Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission’s website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The Commission does not edit or delete personal identifying information from submissions.
Environmental Assessment
The Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department) issued an environmental assessment (EA) for the project on April 22, 2024. The purpose of the EA is to provide information on the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, possible mitigations for identified impacts, and evaluation of any alternatives contained in the scoping decision. The EA is available on the Department’s website at: https://apps.commerce.state.mn.us/web/project/15104, and on eDockets (see below).
In addition to being available on eDockets and Project websites, the EA will be available at the following public libraries:
• Great River Regional Library – Clearwater 740 Clearwater Center, Clearwater, MN 55320
• Great River Regional Library – Becker 11500 Sherburne Ave, Becker, MN 55308
Print copies of the EA are also available from the Department upon request; please contact Suzanne Steinhauer at suzanne.steinhauer@state.mn.us or 651-539-1843.
Additional Information
Minnesota Statutes and Rules. This project is being reviewed under Minnesota Statute Chapter 216E and Minnesota Rules Chapter 7850. The rules and statutes are available for review at: www.revisor.mn.gov
Review Process. Information on the review processes for site permits for large electric power facilities is available on the Commission’s website at: https://mn.gov/puc/activities/energy-facilities/
Filing Requirements. Utilities, telecommunications carriers, official parties, and state agencies are required to file documents using the Commission’s electronic filing system (eFiling). All parties, participants, and interested persons are also encouraged to use eFiling: mn.gov/puc/edockets, select Go to eDockets and follow the prompts.
Full Case Record. See all documents filed in this matter via the Commission’s website at mn.gov/puc/edockets, select Go to eDockets, enter the year (23) and the docket number (217), and select Search.
Subscribe to the Docket. To receive email notification when new documents are filed in this matter visit: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling, select Subscribe to Dockets.
Project Mailing List. Sign up to receive notices about project milestones and opportunities to participate or change your mailing preference. Email eservice.admin@state.mn.us or call 651-201-2246 with the docket number (23-217), your name, mailing address, and email address.
Questions about this docket or Commission process and procedure? Contact Commission staff, Jacques Harvieux at jacques.harvieux@state.mn.us or 651-201-2233.
To request this document in another format such as large print or audio, call 651-296-0406 (voice). Persons with a hearing or speech impairment may call using their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service or email consumer.puc@state.mn.us for assistance.
Project Overview Map
(Published in the Patriot: 05/04/24.)
