New Xcel transmission line proposed

STAFF PHOTO BY TOM MURRAY
Dodge County residents attended an Xcel Energy open house on the proposed PowerOn Midwest transmission line.

Representatives from Xcel Energy held an open house at the Dodge County Fair Grounds on Aug. 13 to speak with the public about the proposed PowerOn Midwest transmission line.
PowerOn Midwest is a series of new electric transmission projects anchored by a 765 kV backbone transmission line being developed by Great River Energy, ITC Midwest, Otter Tail Power Company and Xcel Energy. The projects will connect eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and the broader region.
With respect to Dodge County, the project is a proposed transmission line from the North Rochester substation in Pine Island, running south near the county line with Olmsted County, to the Pleasant Valley Substation near Sargeant.
Great River Energy and Xcel Energy have partnered to construct, own, and maintain the proposed Pleasant Valley-North Rochester 765 kV project. This project is a part of a regional effort to modernize the electric grid and meet growing energy needs.
According to Xcel, Dodge County exports power about 31% of the time and imports power about 69% of the time. As electric demand grows and the region becomes more dependent on wind, solar, and natural gas resources, the existing transmission grid lacks sufficient capacity to move power into and out of Dodge County reliably.
PowerOn Midwest must undergo a comprehensive state regulatory review led by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). This includes a Certificate of Need (CON) filed on Feb. 3 and a Route Permit Application anticipated to be filed in 2027.
Xcel Spokesperson Randy Fordice urged Dodge County residents to make public comments before Aug. 28. The public can email Connect@PowerOnMidwest.com or call 888-283-4678. Proposed route maps and a virtual open house is available at www.poweronmidwest.com.