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Minnesota Power outlines Iron Range–St. Louis County transmission study area, schedules public open houses
Summary
Minnesota Power presented an introductory overview of its Iron Range–St. Louis County (Arrowhead) transmission project, including a broad study area, planned environmental and engineering studies, and a series of public open houses beginning May 20.
A Minnesota Power project manager presented the early planning stages for an Iron Range–St. Louis County transmission line project that the company said is part of a Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) portfolio to improve regional grid reliability.
Zach Wolkowski, senior environmental compliance specialist at Minnesota Power, said the utility is working in the “infancy stages” to define a study area and conduct environmental and engineering studies. The project includes a longer segment (described by the presenter as about 62 miles) planned for 345-kilovolt construction and a shorter segment that would tie the St. Louis County substation to the Arrowhead substation.
Wolkowski said routing work will prioritize paralleling existing transmission corridors where feasible to reduce new right-of-way impacts. He listed typical studies to be completed, including cultural-resources review, biological and wetland surveys, protected-species and raptor-nest surveys, geotechnical work and other environmental inventories.
Public engagement: Minnesota Power said it will hold a series of open houses in the area beginning May 20 (locations listed to county commissioners), offer virtual engagement options and submit a joint Certificate of Need and Route Permit to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in the permitting phase. The company also described anticipated environmental surveys next year and earlier-stage right-of-way work.
Schedule and design details remain preliminary. Wolkowski said the company expects to refine routing after public input and environmental studies and return with a proposed route as the permitting process advances.
No board vote was required; the presentation was informational and commissioners welcomed early engagement and asked about farming impacts and right-of-way coordination.
