GRAND RAPIDS — The public will have four opportunities to comment Monday through Thursday, April 6-9, on a proposed transmission line between Grand Rapids and Hermantown.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will host the meetings about the Iron Range-St. Louis County-Arrowhead 345-kilovolt transmission project. A one-hour open house will precede each meeting.
Minnesota Power and American Transmission Co. LLC are proposing to construct approximately 67.5 miles of transmission line from Minnesota Power's Iron Range Substation near Grand Rapids to Minnesota Power's St. Louis County Substation near Hermantown. It will also include a connection to American Transmission Co.'s nearby Arrowhead Substation along portions of Itasca and St. Louis counties.
The route proposed is located along, and in some cases replaces, existing high-voltage transmission lines for 92% of its length. New transmission lines will be required to connect the existing substations in Grand Rapids and Hermantown. Existing substations would also require expansions.
The purpose of the public meetings is to provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process, and to accept public comments.
The PUC said it is specifically looking to gather information on the potential environmental and human impacts, the feasibility of alternative routes or project sizes and any local conditions that may require mitigation if the project is approved.
“Our decisions are stronger when they are informed by local voices,” said Commissioner Joseph Sullivan in the release. “We encourage the public to attend a public meeting, ask questions and provide feedback. Your input is the cornerstone of a thorough and accountable review process.”
Meeting information
- Grand Rapids: 5 p.m. open house, 6 p.m. meeting Monday, April 6, at Timberlake Lodge
- Floodwood: 11 a.m. open house, noon meeting Tuesday, April 7, at the Downtown Fair Center
- Hermantown: 5 p.m. open house, 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday at the AAD Shrine Event Center
- Virtual: 6 p.m. Thursday, April 9
Written comment can also be submitted until 4:30 p.m. April 23. Comments can be submitted online; the docket number is CN-25-111 or TL-25-112.
