skip to content skip to search

Big Stone II

New   March 17, 2009 - Minnesota Commission Issues Orders on Big Stone Transmission Line Decision - Order Granting Certificate of Need with Conditions and Order Issuing Route Permit

January 15, 2009 Minnesota Commission Reaches Decision on Big Stone Transmission Line

The Minnesota Commission decided today to grant transmission lines sought by Big Stone II utilities.   The Commission, by a vote of 5-0, adopted a motion to grant a certificate of need for transmission lines sought by the utilities planning to build the Big Stone II generation facility.  The motion, made by Commissioner Pugh, involved numerous elements including the following:

  • That there is reasonable assurance that Big Stone II would be more cost-effective than renewable energy beyond the statutory levels of renewable energy based on accepted estimates of construction costs and carbon dioxide;
  • That the 345 kV transmission project is needed based on identified regional and state transmission needs;
  • That the project presents risks requiring additional measures to protect Applicants’ ratepayers.  Therefore, grant the certificate of need subject to a number of additional conditions including the following:
    • a plan for shutting down the older Hoot Lakes coal plant;
    • fulfilling various requirements relating to renewable energy goals, energy efficiency, community-based energy development projects, emissions reduction,
    • that the generation plant be built as “carbon capture retrofit ready,”
    • that the Applicants report to the Commission on the feasibility of building the plant using ultra-supercritical technology,
    • that the Applicants achieve specific limits on construction and carbon costs,
    • and others. 

Additionally, the Commission granted a route permit for the transmission lines. 
These decisions are based on an extraordinarily extensive case record that began with the filing of the petition in April, 2005.  Orders setting forth the details of the Commission’s decision for both the certificate of need and the route permit will be issued in the coming weeks.

October 22, 2008 Expert Report Available : Report Responding to the Commission's Inquiries on Emissions Costs, Construction Costs, and Fuel Costs


ALJ Scheduling Order: CN-05-619
PUC Docket Number: E-017, ET-6131, ET-2,ET-6130, ET-6444, ET-6135,E-017, ET-9/CN-05-619
Staff Contact: Bob.Cupit@state.mn.us


Back to Certificate of Need