Opposition To Hollydale Power Line Project Unite

“Unite” was a big part of a public meeting Jan. 25 at Wayzata High School.

United by a potentially powerful project, around 100 residents came together to discuss their concerns and questions about the proposed Hollydale power line proposal, which would upgrade power lines stretching from part of Medina to northwest Plymouth and add a new substation.

According to the Xcel Energy website, the project includes rebuilding about eight miles of existing 69 kilovolt (kV) transmission line to 115kV, constructing almost a mile of new 115 kV transmission line and building a new 115 kV substation, which would be called the Pomerleau Lake Substation. Great River Energy would modify its Medina Substation for the Hollydale project.

The energy companies say the project is needed to address electric distribution concerns and to avoid feeder circuit overloads in the Plymouth area distribution delivery system. The project will provide increased distribution capacity in the Plymouth-Medina area.

Some residents at the Jan. 25 public meeting weren’t convinced by this need.

"When I asked them about the need they said it would be for back up and future growth," said one resident that lives near Dundee Nursery in Plymouth.

“Does that mean it needs to be done now,” asked another person in the crowd.

Many in the crowd have been concerned about the project from the beginning and have been to previous public meetings that Xcel has held. The Jan. 25 meeting was not hosted by Xcel or Great River Energy, but by a small group of concerned citizens that live in the proposed project area. Some of those residents, about 13, have hired an attorney to represent them.

There have been several different alternative routes explored by those who don't want to see power lines near their homes. Some of the main concerns circle around negative property value impacts, environmental effects, health effects and even aesthetics.

Concerned residents Ilan Zeroni and Paul Ablack presented information at the meeting about the type of power lines and possible effects on people and the environment as well as alternative routes that don't make the power lines someone else's problem.

"It comes down to having all of us agree on what needs to be done and an alternative route that can't be sticking it to someone else," Ablack said.

Zeroni asked what, if anything, could the city do though it is not part of the official process. Plymouth Councilmember Judy Johnson was at the meeting and has been actively advocating for residents. Johnson is Ward 1, the northwest area's council representative, and said her house could possibly be affected by an alternative route for the power line project.

Johnson pointed to what she and the city have done so far including not giving up the land needed for the substation, which could still be condemned, as well as been on a taskforce of people who gave Xcel input on concerns and suggestions for the project and process and brought the issue up to the City Council.

"I hear you loud and clear and know how many people see this as an important issue and I want to do all that I can," Johnson said to the crowd.

But the time keeps on ticking and progress continues for the project. The proposal requires a Route Permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Xcel Energy and Great River Energy jointly filed a Route Permit Application with the Commission on June 30, 2011, for the kV transmission improvements and new Pomerleau Lake Substation.

Next up is an Environmental Assessment that is due out in February, Zeroni said. Recommendations from the Department of Commerce based on its findings comes next and then a public hearing by an administrative law judge. There was a 90-day extension placed so that this was not done during spring break time and more people could attend and make comments.

"That's why we need to get organized and pull together now," Ablack said. "Excel is not the enemy. They will get paid no matter where the lines go, but if we can all agree on that [alternative route] then we have a chance for the PUC to see our case."

Many at the meeting agreed on working together and one of the first steps in that direction is a petition, which was passed around to show what residents concerns were and their request for the Public Utilities Commission. The hope is for the petition will continue to circulate among residents and others' concerned about the Hollydale project. Zeroni said he has around 700 people on his email list to get electronic signatures as well.