PowerOn Project getting its necessity tested

MARTIN COUNTY - After multiple meetings to inform the public about the PowerOn Midwest 765kW line plan, it’s now the public's turn to share its thoughts on the project and its necessity.

The project seeks to build a 765kV line that would cross into Minnesota from the Brookings Substation, go to the Lakefield Junction Substation in Jackson County, then shoot straight across through Southern Minnesota, including an undetermined path through Martin County, before moving upward from Mower County through multiple substations before ending up at Hampton Substation in Dakota County.

To move the project forward, the state requires a Certificate of Need (CON), which involves proving the project is necessary to meet current and future electricity demand. Part of doing so is having public hearings across the coverage area to hear from the public.

The closest one to Fairmont will be at the Fox Lake Event Center at 730 125th Street in Sherburn, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12. Great River Energy Spokesperson Lori Buffington said this is an important regulatory milestone.

"The hearings will be presided over by an independent administrative law judge," she said. "The hearings are part of the state certificate of need review, and they give members of the public an opportunity to provide comments and express opinions on PowerOn Midwest alternatives to the project and the environmental report. After the hearings, the administrative law judge will prepare a report summarizing the record from the hearing, and that will include public comments."

When all the hearing and information is completed, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will either approve or deny the CON for the project. The decision could also be deferred to a later time if necessary, but Buffington said that is rare.

While there will be a few boards and informational pieces available which Buffington said is a more formal setup than the route meetings. There will be an opportunity to register to speak at the event, as well as an open mic period for people to go up and speak without registering.

Having been a part of these meetings before, Buffington spoke to what is being looked for by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for a CON.

"The hearings allow residents, landowners, businesses, local governments and other stakeholders to comment on the project’s need and the environmental review," she said. "What they’re looking for is if it’s the right solution. If it’s the right size solution, then they’re looking at all those other environmental considerations that are in the environmental review."

There will still be representatives from PowerOn Midwest there, as there have been for previous meetings, to answer questions about the project.

So far, Buffington said community input has already influenced their work and where it has gone.

"The utilities have been engaging landowners, communities, elected officials and other stakeholders throughout the project development," she said. "The project team is reviewing that feedback alongside environmental, engineering and land use considerations as we develop the proposed route, in particular. Participation, like we’ve talked about, does not end with these hearings. The route permit process that will follow will provide additional opportunities to comment on routes and alternatives."

While the previous meetings have mentioned the benefits of the project and taken in feedback to discuss where it should go, Buffington acknowledged the opposition this project has faced thus far. The Martin County Board of Commissioners has already approved a motion to stand with landowners and citizens in opposition to this project.

"If you’re a landowner wondering how a major transmission project like this could affect your property or your community, those questions are very real to you," she said. "Our responsibility is to make investments that ensure the reliable electricity that powers our lives is available, and it’s also our job to listen, to provide good information and to participate in a transparent regulatory process like this. These hearings are part of that, while also explaining why we believe this project is needed for long-term reliability."

Looking forward, Buffington said she hopes to see people come out to these hearings. She also wants them to know there are other options if they cannot make the event in Sherburn, or if they do not get a chance to speak at the Sherburn event.

While it is further away, the next closest hearing is from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Windom Community Center on 1750 Cottonwood Lake Drive. There is also an online public hearing that will be available from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 16. For details, including the link, visit mn.poweronmidwest.com/events/ and scroll down to where it says 'Online Public Hearing via WebEx'.

Finally, comments can be submitted to the email consumer.puc@state.mn.us, mailed to Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East, Suite #350, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55101, or faxed to 651-297-7073. The written form to fill out can be found at https://mn.gov/puc/get-involved/public-comments/.

Comments can also be submitted online at mn.gov/puc/get-involved/public-comments/comment-form/. The comment period will be open until 4 :30 p.m. on Dec. 7, 2026. When submitting a comment through any of these avenues, use the docket number CN-25-117.