WILLMAR — Xcel Energy is hosting open house events in Willmar, Marshall, Redwood Falls and Granite Falls on the proposed MN Energy Connection transmission line project between the retiring Sherco power plant near Becker and Lyon County in southwest Minnesota. The 345-kilovolt transmission line is designed to connect new renewable energy to replace the electricity from the retiring coal-fired power plant.
Landowners and local officials interested persons are welcome to attend and learn more about the project, discuss land use issues important in each area, and review the preliminary route options. Detailed route maps will be on display.
Hearings are scheduled for:
- Feb. 27 — 4 to 7 p.m., EverSpring Suites Conference Center, 1500 E. College Dr., Marshall.
- Feb. 28 — 4 to 7 p.m., Kilowatt Community Center, 600 Kilowatt Dr., Granite Falls.
- March 1 — 4 to 7 p.m., Willmar Conference Center, Gallery 7 (inside Best Western hotel), 240 23rd St. S.E., Willmar.
- March 2 — 4 to 7 p.m., Redwood Area Community Center, 901 E. Cook St., Redwood Falls.
The $4.4 million demolition of the Willmar Power Plant is quickly proceeding, with the southern-facing wall of the building being removed Monday morning and the western-facing wall completely gone.
The demolition of the Willmar Power Plant has begun, as crews started tearing down the facility this week. Parts of the power plant are approximately 100 years old.
With federal and private funding, the project seeks to build a trolley line that dump trucks could follow from the mine pit to crushing operations
Open house offered residents and landowners an early look at the routes being considered for a high-voltage power line project
From the letter: If your current oil or propane heating system is nearing the end of life, it seems worthwhile to consider converting to a heat pump.
The bills have not been taken up by committees and would need Republican support to pass the state Senate
Neither of the Willmar wind turbines is currently spinning due to a blade pitch issue and a breaker failure.
A bipartisan group of Senate lawmakers is backing a bill to explore the feasibility of smaller “advanced” reactors.
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The standard now awaits a signature from Gov. Tim Walz, who said he supports the legislation.
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