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Council approves easement with Great River Energy; city avoids estimated $2 million well relocation cost
Summary
The council approved an easement agreement with Great River Energy that lets the city keep Well 15 in place while GRE adjusts substation design at its cost to accommodate the well, a change city staff said avoids an estimated $2 million relocation expense.
The Eagan City Council on Oct. 7 approved an easement agreement with Great River Energy (GRE) that allows Well 15 to remain in place on property being redeveloped for a GRE substation expansion at Wilderness Run Road and Pilot Knob Road.
City staff said GRE agreed to alter its substation design and fencing locations at GRE’s cost so the city would not need to relocate the well. "They've actually met with the city and changed their design to accommodate our long term housing or placement of the well there ... they're doing all this at their own cost," staff said, adding that relocating the well — even by a few feet — could cost the city roughly $2,000,000.
Staff said GRE moved planned power lines and reconfigured fencing to allow Well 15 to be removed and serviced with a crane without creating unsafe proximity to overhead power lines. The easement will preserve the city’s access to the well and avoid an expensive relocation or reconstruction. Council adopted the consent agenda, which included the easement agreement; staff described the partnership as "very pleasant" and valuable to the city.
The council did not establish additional conditions at the meeting; staff said GRE’s design changes and the easement agreement are being provided at GRE’s expense and that routine operations for the well and utilities will continue under the terms of the easement.
