NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AVAILABILITY, HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD Issued October 20, 2022 Byron Solar, LLC Receives Certificate of Need, Site Permit and Root Permit for Byron Solar Projects up to 200 MW Application and 345 kV Transmission Lines in Dodge and Olmsted Counties, Minnesota PUC Docket Numbers: IP7041/GS-20-763, IP7041/CN-20-764, and IP7041/TL-20-765 Administrative Hearings (OAH) Secretariat Docket Number: 82-2500-38038 The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (the Commission) is conducting in-person and remote access hearings on the application of Byron Solar, LLC (Byron Solar), a wholly owned subsidiary of EDF Renewables, Inc. Please note that we are holding a meeting. Certificate of Need, Site Permit, and High Voltage Transmission Line (HVTL) Route Permit for the Byron Solar Project. Project Description The proposed project will include up to 200 megawatts (MW) of solar energy generation systems and related facilities in Dodge County. Byron Solar will also construct approximately 3 to 4.5 miles of 345 kilovolt (kV) overhead high voltage transmission lines (HVTL) in Olmsted and Dodge counties to connect the solar facilities to the Byron substation grid. is also proposed. Key components of this project include solar panels mounted on a ground-mounted linear single-axis tracking system, inverters and transformers housed in electrical cabinets, electrical collection systems, collection lines, project substations, supervisory control and data acquisition systems and instrumentation. It also requires fencing, approximately 35.3 miles of access roads, a laydown area, up to five weather stations, and operations and maintenance facilities. Byron Solar expects to begin construction in 2024 and be in commercial operation by the end of 2025. In-Person Hearing Date: Wednesday, November 9, 2022 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Events Sports Bar & Event Center 401 8th Street SE, Kasson, MN 55944 Link to Google Maps: https://goo.gl/ maps/HiL1bovbkTdGHEAfA – The public meeting will start on time. For in-person meetings, arrive a few minutes early so you have time to pick up materials and find a seat. – Members of the public have the opportunity to provide oral and written comments on the record. Staff from the Commission, Department of Commerce, and Byron Solar are available to answer questions about the project and the review process. – The same information is presented in face-to-face and remote access meetings. – In-person and remote access meetings will continue until all meeting participants have a chance to speak or 9:00 pm, whichever comes first. – Comments received during the meeting and comment period will be used by the Commission in making its final decision. To check if the meeting has been canceled, call 1-855-731-6208 or 651-201-2213 (toll-free) or visit mn.gov/puc. Remote Access Hearing Date: Thursday, November 10, 2022 Time: 6:00 PM Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Web Address: Minnesota.webex.com Event Password (if required): wRsgB7QmM43 Event Number and Access Code: 2491 198 6294 – To view the speaker presentation during a remote access meeting, follow the steps above to access the meeting over the Internet (Webex). If you want to watch the speaker’s presentation, you will need to join the conference via the Internet. – You can use the built-in Her Webex audio feature that uses your computer’s speakers and microphone to show presentations and ask questions only when you are in a Webex meeting. – Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a computer, you can dial in to the audio conference using your regular phone by calling the number and access code above. – Additional information and instructions are available at https://mn.gov/puc/activities/meetings/webex/. If you have any questions about how to participate or are unable to access the meeting at Cezar.Panait, please contact her Public Advisor, Cezar Panait. @state.mn.us or 651-201-2207. INFORMATION ABOUT THE HEARINGS AND PROCESS The Honorable Justice Barbara, Administrative Law Judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings, presided over the hearings and, after a comment period, provided the Commission with its factual findings, conclusions of law, and recommendations. increase. The purpose of the public hearing is to hear public opinion on the proposed project and environmental assessment. Interested persons will have the opportunity to: (1) ask questions of applicants and agency staff; (2) provide verbal and written comments on the merits of the proposed project; (3) Suggest conditions that may be considered for inclusion in site or root permissions; The general public can participate as a party without the need to intervene. Attorney representation is permitted but not required. The hearing will have an opportunity for all attendees to comment and will end when all other business is closed or at 9:00 pm, whichever comes first. Written comments may be submitted during the post-hearing comment period using the methods described in this notice. Minnesota Statutes and Regulations. For Byron Solar Project statutory and regulatory information, see Minn. Stat. § 216B.243 and Minn. R. Ch. 7849 (required certificates) and Minn. Stat. § 216E and Minn. R. Ch. 7850 (site and root permits). Relevant Minnesota statutes and regulations can be found at https://www.revisor.mn.gov. Eminent domain: If the Commission issues a site or route permit, Byron Solar may assess whether eminent domain can be used to acquire land for this project. Written Comment Period In addition to the hearing, written comments will be accepted until 4:30 PM on November 29, 2022. Please include your docket number in all correspondence. Please focus your comments on information that helps answer the following questions: – Should the European Commission grant a site permit for the proposed solar energy generation system? – Should the European Commission grant a route permit for the proposed high voltage transmission line? – If approved, the proposal What additional conditions or requirements must be included in the site or root permit for the approved project? Comments received after the comment period has ended may or may not be considered by the Commission. Comments can be submitted in the following ways: Online: mn.gov/puc/consumers/public-comments and follow the instructions. Email: consumer.puc@state.mn.us US Email: Consumer Affairs Office Minnesota Public Utilities Commission 121 7th Place East, Suite 350 St. Paul MN 55101 Important. Comments will be made publicly available via the Commission’s website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The Commission will not redact or remove personally identifiable information from submissions. The Environmental Assessment Department prepared and issued an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project. EA analyzes the potential impacts of the project and possible mitigation measures. Additionally, the EA analyzes the potential impact of alternatives included in the range determination. EA is available on the agency’s website and eDockets (see additional information below). A printed version of the EA is available from the Department upon request. Contact Suzanne Steinhauer in the department at suzanne.steinhauer@state.mn.us or 651-539-1843. Additional Information Submission Requirements. Utilities, telecommunications companies, public agencies, and state agencies must use the Commission’s electronic filing system (eFiling) to submit documents. All stakeholders, participants and interested persons are encouraged to use eFiling: mn.gov/puc, select eDockets and follow the prompts. Complete case record. See all documents filed in this matter via the Commission’s website mn.gov/puc, select eDockets, required certificate year (20) and docket number (764), site permit docket Enter the number (763). Select the Route Permit docket number (765),[検索]Choose. Subscribe to docket. To receive email notifications when new documents are submitted on this issue, please visit https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling and[Dockets に登録]and follow the prompts. Department of Commerce website: https://apps.commerce.state.mn.us/eera/web/project/14509 Certificate of Need, Site and Root Permit Application. A print version of the application is also available at: Energy Facility Planner, mike.kaluzniak@state.mn.us or 651-201-2257 Public Utilities Commission Public Advisor Cezar Panait, Public Advisor, cezar.panait@state.mn.us or 651-201-2207 Department of Commerce Suzanne Steinhauer , Environmental Review Manager, suzanne.steinhauer@state.mn.us or 651 539 1843 Steve Rakow, Analyst Coordinator, stephen.rakow@state.mn.us or 651-539-1833 Byron Solar Scott Wentzell, scott.wentzell@edf- re.com or 612-486-4523 If you require reasonable accommodation to ensure your full attendance at this meeting, please call 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance. Please contact the European Commission. meeting. To request this document in another format, such as large print or audio, call 651 296-0406 (audio). If you are deaf or speech impaired, you may call us using your preferred telecommunications relay service or email us at consumer.puc@state.mn.us for assistance. (October 22, 2022) 114096
