Commission's public meetings

The May 29 sessions will be for members of the public to make statements or ask questions of the applicants. The main purpose of the hearing on June 4 will be to receive the presentations of the cooperatives and the parties that have formally intervened in the proceeding. Additional hearings will be held if needed.

The information provided in the record of these hearings will be used to determine whether the Public Utilities Commission should issue a Certificate of Need to Great River Energy and Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association to build and operate the proposed transmission line. A Certificate of Need is a state permit confirming that construction of an energy facility is in the public interest. Specific routes will not be considered in these hearings. If the line is certified for need, the Environmental Quality Board will determine the route in a separate proceeding.

These hearings will be conducted by Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Allan W. Klein, Office of Administrative Hearings, 100 Washington Square, Suite 1700, 100 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis MN 55401-2138. Following the hearings, Judge Klein will submit a written recommendation to the Public Utilities Commission.

Persons or groups wishing to participate in the proceeding as a formal party should submit a written petition to Judge Klein by April 23, 2003. (See Minnesota Rules, part 1400.6200.) However, they do not need to intervene as a formal party to participate in the public hearings on May 29, 2003.

Members of the public are urged to make their presentations in person. If they cannot, they may submit written comments on the cooperatives' Certificate of Need Application and Draft Environmental Report to Judge Klein at his address given above. Written comments should be submitted by May 30, 2003.

For more information or to request an accommodation, you may contact David Jacobson, Public Utilities Commission, 121 Seventh Place East, Suite 350, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2147, by calling 651-297-4562 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3782. You may also call 651-297-1200 (TTY) or 1-800-627-3529 (TTY relay service).