About two dozen Motley-area residents asked questions about a proposed electric transmission line project during an open house Tuesday.
The 14-mile, 115 kilovolt (kV) line is being proposed by Great River Energy, in conjunction with Crow Wing Power (CWP).
If the project is approved, construction of the new substation and transmission line project would most likely happen in 2017.
The preliminary route would connect the line to the existing Minnesota Power transmission line at Cass County Road 35, almost two miles north of Highway 210. It would extend south about 14 miles to Highway 10 and Holt Road.
The route runs through southern Cass County, eastern Todd County and northern Morrison County.
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The proposed project also includes constructing 1/2 mile of transmission line three miles northwest of Motley in the Becker Township, extending south from Minnesota Power's Dog Lake Substation and connecting to an existing transmission line.
Tuesday's open house brought in several questions, but no strong opinions in favor or against the project, said Lori Buffington, spokeswoman for Great River Energy.
"We hold open houses like (Tuesday's) voluntarily to include people in the discussion before we submit an application for a certificate of need and route permit," she said. "That way property owners and others who are interested in the project have an opportunity to learn about the project we are looking at and learn how the state's permitting process works."
The two main questions brought forward Tuesday were about pole height and what side of the road it would run.
The wooden pole height would range from 60 to 90 feet above ground. As for which side of the road the line will fall, that will be determined later, Buffington said.
The effect on property owners is hard to estimate, Buffington said, as each property is unique. It could range from removing trees to removing structures, she said.
The new line would strengthen the system in the Motley-area, Buffington said.
"The existing system is becoming outdated and is reaching its maximum capacity," she said.
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The current system is 34.5 kV, compared to the 115 kV being proposed.
A new line would also provide electric service to the proposed new CWP Fish Trap Lake distribution substation that would provide electric power to a new pipeline pumping station proposed by Minnesota Pipe Line Company (MPL).
In addition, a new line would prepare the transmission system for a future CWP distribution substation, which CWP anticipates needing in the Shamineau lake area.
With the feedback the energy companies gathered up to this point, they'll pull together a certificate of need/route permit application, which they'll turn into the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC).
The MPUC ultimately will decide the need for the project and the route.
Great River Energy and Crow Wing Power will submit their application sometime early next year.
Next, MPUC will hold two public sessions. One will cover environmental scoping, while the other will be a public hearing.
Proposed project schedule
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Project notification and open house: Fall 2014
Permitting: Late 2014 to late 2015
Easement acquisition: 2016
Transmission line design: 2016
Environmental permits: 2016
Transmission line construction: 2017
Energization: Late 2017
For more information: greatriverenergy.com/motley
