contributed article
Great River Energy, wholesale electric supplier to Stearns Electric Association, is proposing to rebuild an existing 3.2-mile, 69-kV transmission line to 115-kV in the St. Joseph area. Great River Energy will host a public information open house to share details about the project.
The public and other interested parties are encouraged to stop by the open house anytime from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 at the St. Joseph Community Fire Station, 323 Fourth Ave. NE to learn about the project. Great River Energy staff will be available to answer questions and hear feedback on the project.
This rebuild is necessary to improve the reliability of the transmission system in the area by building it to 115-kV. This project will complete the area upgrade and loop the 115-kV system.
“We want landowners to be informed about the project and have an opportunity to ask questions and share their feedback,” said Dale Aukee, Great River Energy’s senior field representative.
Great River Energy will consider the feedback and comments before submitting a route permit application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Aukee said. Great River Energy will also contact property owners along the route.
“We will contact each affected property owner to discuss the project,” Aukee said. “Construction is expected to occur in summer of 2024.”
A fact sheet, which includes a detailed map, can be found at http://www.greatriverenergy.com/stjosephupgrade.
Great River Energy is a not-for-profit wholesale electric power cooperative that provides electricity to 28 member-owner distribution cooperatives. Together, our systems provide power to approximately two-thirds of Minnesota geographically and parts of Wisconsin, serving 700,000 families, farms and businesses. Learn more at greatriverenergy.com.
