Below is a notice forwarded to participants in MN's Clean Energy Resource Teams program on upcoming transmission meetings around MN. For people in MN, this is a good chance to have some input into the transmission planning process and learn about an issue that is increasingly critical for wind development.


FYI - Minnesota Electric Transmission Planning Meetings are scheduled. Details and links provided below.

Per the website: The public is invited to join representatives from area utilities in a planning meeting to discuss the electric transmission system in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Discussion will focus on identifying problems with the existing system in meeting the demand for electricity in the area and possible solutions, including possible new transmission projects. Public participation is an important part of the transmission planning process as we work together to ensure continued reliable service to Minnesota residents. Registration is not required.


Northwest Zone
Includes Becker, Beltrami, Clay, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, and Wilkin counties.



Public Information Meeting

Date: October 12, 2004

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Days Inn and Conference Center

Address: 600 30th Avenue South

City, State, ZIP: Moorhead, MN 56560-4406

For more details see: http://www.minnelectrans.com/zone_nw.html



Northeast Zone
Includes Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Isanti, Itasca, Hubbard, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, and St. Louis counties.



Public Information Meeting

Date: October 13, 2004

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Blackwoods Banquet and Conference Center

Address: 195 US Highway 2

City, State, ZIP: Proctor, MN 55810

For more details see: http://www.minnelectrans.com/zone_ne.html



West Central Zone
Includes Benton, Big Stone, Chippewa, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Mcleod, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, and Wright counties.



Public Information Meeting

Date: October 26, 2004

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Atwood Memorial Center - SCSU

Address: 110 AMC-720 Fourth Avenue South

City, State, ZIP: St. Cloud , MN 56201

For more details see: http://www.minnelectrans.com/zone_wc.html



Southwest Zone
Includes Brown, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Martin, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Watonwan, and Yellow Medicine counties.



Public Information Meeting

Date: October 5, 2004

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Americinn of Marshall

Address: 1406 E. Lyon Street

City, State, ZIP: Marshall, MN 56258

For more details see: http://www.minnelectrans.com/zone_sw.html



Southeast Zone
Includes Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Rice, Sibley, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona counties.



Public Information Meeting

Date: October 6, 2004

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: RPU Community Room

Address: 4000 East River Road NE

City, State, ZIP: Rochester, MN 55906

For more details see: http://www.minnelectrans.com/zone_se.html

Sarah,
This is great that you have posted this. I was just checking with the intention of posting it myself.
One of my Renewable Energy involvements is with the SE Mn. Clean Energy Resource Team where we have recently started a Transmission group and will be making a presentation at the SE area meeting Oct 6 in Rochester.
Our resource assesment of our area will be used to alert Planners to the need to consider many projects of Community wind in SE and the oppportunity for large projects to be developed in the area from Mower County to the Metro area, all in an economically viable wind regime with the low wind turbines now on the market. We would love to have others in this interest area there to support this view. We also invite you to join the SE CERTs group.
Lee Dilley
Northfield