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Enterprise Park to Crooked Lake 115 kV Transmission Line March 2012 Environmental Assessment 1. Introduction Great River Energy (Applicant) has made application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) for a route permit under the alternative permitting process of the Power Plant Siting Act (Minnesota Statute 216E). The route permit application is for the construction of a new 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Anoka County, Minnesota (Project). The approximately 5.8-mile transmission line would connect the existing Crooked Lake and Enterprise Park Substations. Equipment modifications at each substation would be included in the Project. The proposed Project is for the construction of approximately 5.8 miles of new, overhead 115 kV transmission line between Xcel Energy's existing Crooked Lake Substation in Coon Rapids, Minn., and Anoka Municipal Utility's existing Enterprise Park Substation in Anoka, Minn , in Anoka County (Figure 1). The project will remove, rebuild, and attach Anoka Municipal Utility's existing overhead (12.5 kV) distribution lines to the new 115 kV transmission line where the new line overtakes the existing distribution lines. (Alternatively, Anoka Municipal Utility may choose to bury some of the distribution lines.) The project would also include modifications to the Crooked Lake and Enterprise Park substations to accommodate the new transmission line, including a new ring bus, breaker additions, step down transformers, and associated switch gear. The Applicant is requesting a route width as narrow as 100 feet in some locations, and as wide as 400 feet in others, except for the area near Anoka High School where the requested route width is 800 feet. The variation in route width is due to the developed nature of the project area. The typical right-of-way for the 115 kV line is 50-75 feet, depending on the structure used. The typical span between poles without underbuild is 300 to 400 feet, and 250 to 300 where 12.5 kV distribution lines are attached. Poles range in height from 60 to 85 feet. Most poles will be constructed as single -pole, wood structures with horizontal post insulators. The transmission line and substation modifications would cost approximately $11.7 million. Energy Facility Permitting (EFP) staff is tasked with conducting environmental review of applications for high -voltage transmission line route permits. The intent of the environmental review process is to inform the public, the Applicant, and decision -makers about potential impacts and possible mitigation measures for a proposed high -voltage transmission line project. This environmental assessment (EA) covers the environmental review requirements in accordance with the Scoping Decision Document for this EA, and as outlined in Minnesota Rules 7850, for the proposed project and route permit application as follows: 3