Applicant’s Routing Process
How Routes Are Developed
Identifying a new transmission line route is a multi-step analysis that considers constraints, opportunities and alternatives that aim to minimize impacts on people and the environment.
The first step in the process is to identify areas for potential transmission line route options. We will develop initial corridors based on system needs, review of publicly available data, and find opportunities to minimize impacts to residential properties, agricultural operations, and other environmental considerations. We will present initial corridors and route options to landowners, local officials and key stakeholders to ask for feedback.
Share your feedback
Public input will assist the project team as we further refine and narrow the preliminary route options to develop the proposed route for the route permit application.
We encourage landowners and local officials to attend public open houses, review route options and provide comments about how each of the initial proposals would affect land use in the area. We will evaluate all comments as route options are refined during the development process.
Finally, the project team will use the information and public input gathered to develop a proposed route that we anticipate submitting to the MPUC later in 2026.
The MPUC will issue a final determination on the route at the conclusion of the route permit application review process. View the MN Regulatory Process page for more details.
Input and engagement opportunities will be available throughout these processes.
Routing Considerations
During the routing process, our team will identify opportunities where routes and route alternatives could be located while evaluating sensitivities or areas that would make routing difficult.
Opportunities are considered linear features that are oriented in the direction of the project:
- Field lines
- Property lines
- Property lines
- Roads
- Utility corridors
Sensitivities are area resources or conditions that may require additional review and consideration:
- Agricultural impacts
- Public airports
- Cemeteries, religious facilities and cultural and historic resources
- Communication towers
- Conservation area/nature preserves
- Contaminated areas
- Forest
- Hospitals
- Levees/dams
- Mines/quarries
- Pipelines
- Planned developments
- Protected federal and state lands
- Railroads
- Recreational uses
- Residences and schools/daycares
- Rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands
- Scenic byways
- Protected animal and plant species
Share Your Feedback
The map below highlights potential route options for the transmission line. The yellow lines represent preliminary routes, and we’re seeking your input to help refine these options as we work toward identifying the proposed route for the permit application. The green line shows the existing 161 kV line, which we plan to follow for the MariBell segment.
We want your feedback! Drop a pin on the map to identify any opportunities or sensitivities in the area.
Click or tap ‘Add a comment’ to get started. If you prefer to leave a general comment, click or tap the ‘Comment’ button in the top left of your screen.
Get Involved
Community feedback is essential at every stage, so we encourage you to stay engaged throughout the process.
