NOTICE OF COMPLETE ROUTE PERMIT APPLICATION AND
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS
Issued: November 18, 2025
In the Matter of the Application of Great River Energy and Lake Region Electric Cooperative for a Route Permit for the Otto Tap 115 kV Transmission Line Project in Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Docket Number: ET2/TL-25-269
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public information and scoping meetings on the application of Great River Energy and Lake Region Electric Cooperative (applicants) for a route permit for the Otto Tap 115 kV Transmission Line Project (Project) in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
The Applicants propose constructing a new 2.9-mile 115 kV single-circuit transmission line between Great River Energy’s existing Perham to Rush Lake 115 kV transmission line and the new replacement Otto Substation (map attached). The applicants request generally a route width of 200 feet, with up to 750 feet around the substation and at the proposed crossing of U.S. Highway 10. The applicants indicate that the project will require a right-of-way of 100 feet. Structures utilized for the Project will be wood or steel, 70 to 90 feet tall, and placed 350 to 400 feet apart. The applicants anticipate construction to begin in the fall of 2027 with an in-service date of summer 2028.
The Commission accepted this application as complete on November 18, 2025 in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216I. You may find information on the project, including the application and the Environmental Assessment completed by the applicants, on the Commission’s website: https://puc.eip.mn.gov/web/project/25269
Online Meeting via WebEx
Date: December 3, 2025
Time: Begins at 6:00 pm and ends when all attendees have commented or at 9:00 pm, whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation.
Join by WebEx (Webinar) Link: https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/j.php?MTID=mb6bc56ab8b61b9e5cb21c33198f5c373
Webinar Number: 2480 264 5675
Webinar Password: MnPUC! (667820 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Access Code: 2480 264 5675
If you are joining the meeting via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the meeting, use the chat or raised-hand functions to send a message to the meeting moderator. If you are joining the meeting by phone, press *3 on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, your line will be unmuted, and you will be able to ask questions and provide comments.
Additional information and instructions are available at: https://mn.gov/puc/activities/meetings/webex/
In-Person Meetings
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. (Open House)
6:00 p.m. (Meeting)
The meeting ends when all attendees have commented or at 9:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation.
Location: Otto Township Town Hall 50453 County Hwy 14 New York Mills, MN 56567
Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the meeting to provide attendees an opportunity to review the application, maps, and other materials for the proposed project and ask questions of state staff and the applicant. During this time, comments made by attendees will become a part of the record for Commission consideration only if the attendee submits the comment in writing. Forms will be available for this purpose.
Public Meeting Information
Commission staff will facilitate the meeting. The purpose of the meeting, as outlined in Chapter 216I, includes the following:
1. Provide information about the proposed project and the state’s permitting process, and present major issues. Commission staff will begin the meeting by presenting information on the permitting and environmental review process. Applicants will provide an overview of the proposed project and the potential human and environmental impacts and mitigation measures to minimize impacts that are presented in the EA included in the application.
2. Accept public comments on the need for and scope of an addendum to the environmental assessment (EA) included in the application. To help the Commission decide whether it needs to prepare an addendum to the EA, please consider providing information to help answer the following questions:
a. Are there potential human and environmental impacts or unique characteristics of the proposed project that are not addressed in the EA (on pages 45-107) prepared by the applicant?
b. Are there any methods to mitigate potential impacts of the proposed project that require further evaluation?
c. Are there any other alternative routes or route segments (besides the one considered by the applicant, see pages 31-32 of their application) that should be considered to mitigate potential impacts associated with the project?
3. Respond to questions raised by the public. At this time, any verbal comments you make will become a part of the record. You may also submit written comments for the record.
If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these meetings, please contact the Commission at 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance of the meeting. To find out if a meeting is canceled due to bad weather or other call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc.
Comment Period
Written comments will be accepted through December 18, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. Please include docket number TL-25-269 in all communications. Comments received after the close of the comment period may or may not be considered by the Commission.
Submit Comments
Online: mn.gov/puc/get-involved/public-comments
Email: suzanne.steinhauer@state.mn.us
U.S. Mail: Suzanne Steinhauer
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place East, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55101
Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission’s website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The Commission does not edit or delete personal identifying information from submissions.
Additional Information
Minnesota Statutes and Rules. This project is being reviewed under Minnesota Statutes chapter 216I and Minnesota Rules 7850.4000, 7850.4300, and 7850.4400. The rules and statutes are available for review at: www.revisor.mn.gov
Review Process. Information on the review processes for certificates of need and site and route permits for large electric power facilities is available on the Commission’s website at: puc.eip.mn.gov.
Filing Requirements. Utilities, telecommunications carriers, official parties, and state agencies are required to file documents using the Commission’s electronic filing system (eFiling). All parties, participants, and interested persons are also encouraged to use eFiling: mn.gov/puc/edockets, select Go to eDockets and follow the prompts.
Full Case Record. See all documents filed in this matter via the Commission’s website at mn.gov/puc/edockets, select Go to eDockets, enter the year and the docket number (25-269), and select Search.
Subscribe to the Docket. To receive email notification when new documents are filed in this matter visit: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling, select Subscriptions.
Project Mailing List. Sign up to receive notices about project milestones and opportunities to participate or change your mailing preference. Email eservice.admin@state.mn.us or call 651-201-2246 with the docket number (25-269), your name, mailing address, and email address.
Project Website: https://puc.eip.mn.gov/web/project/25269
Contacts
Public Utilities Commission
Craig Janezich, Energy Facilities Planner, craig.janezich@state.mn.us or 651-201-2203
Saarah Maxon, Public Advisor, saarah.maxon@state.mn.us or 651-201-2200
Suzanne Steinhauer, Environmental Review Manager,
suzanne.steinhauer@state.mn.us or 651-201-2253
Great River Energy
Mark Strohfus, Project Manager, MStrohfus@GREnergy.com or 763-445-5210
Lake Region Electric Cooperative
Mike Kawlewski, Engineering Supervisor, mkawlewski@lrec.coop, 218-863-9846
To request this document in another format such as large print or audio, call 651-296-0406 (voice). Persons with a hearing or speech impairment may call using their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service or email consumer.puc@state.mn.us for assistance.
Published November 19, 2025