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Gonzalez, Richard
Wednesday, October 20, 2004 6:36 PM
'spg-nm@mapp.org'; Ed Weber (E-mail); Brian Zavesky (E-mail); Mike Steckelberg (E-mail); Jeff Eddy
(E-mail); Brad Roos (E-mail); Beth Soholt (E-mail); Matt Schuerger (E-mail); Dale Osborn (E-mail);
David Duebner (E-mail); Ken Booze (E-mail); Ron Arness (E-mail)
Lockhart Jr, John W; Grivna, Walter T; Standing, Jason T; Alders, James R; Rasmussen, Pamela Jo;
Stevenson, Grant D
Buffalo Ridge Incremental Generation Outlet Capability Study
This note is being sent to notify potentially-interested parties of Xcel Energy's intention to
conduct an electric transmission system planning study relating to Buffalo Ridge area
generation outlet capability.
This study, to be conducted during the next 2-3 months, is for the purpose of identifying
transmission options for achieving several hundred MW of additional outlet capacity
(beyond the "825 MW" level) from the Southwestern Minnesota/Eastern South Dakota
portion of the Buffalo Ridge. Implementation of any resultant proposed transmission
improvements would presumably occur later this decade.
It is recognized that long-term Buffalo Ridge transmission needs will likely require large
transmission developments, the planning, permitting, and construction of which can be
expected to take 6 - 10 years. This study will not address those long-range "mega"
needs and transmission options, which are the topic of presently-under-way MISOsponsored studies; rather, this proposed study is intended to determine what relatively
modest improvements (likely primarily 115 kV) can be implemented in the interim, to
achieve useful Buffalo Ridge outlet capacity increments at reasonable cost.
Xcel Energy will be presenting information relating to this study effort at the MAPP
Missouri Basin Subregional Planning Group (MB SPG) meeting which has been
scheduled for next week (Thursday, October 28 at the MRES offices; see e-mail below).
It is our intention that this SPG meeting agenda item constitute the "kick-off" meeting for
this new Buffalo Ridge Incremental Generation Outlet Capability Study.
Xcel Energy encourages all interested parties to participate in this technical study, and
looks forward to your assistance in this effort.
Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact me or Jason
Standing (612-330-7768; jason.t.standing@xcelenergy.com).
Richard Gonzalez, PE
Transmission Planning
Excel Engineering, Inc.
(Consultant to Xcel Energy Transmission Asset Management)
desk: 612-330-6312 (Xcel/NSP 414 Nicollet)
desk: 763-571-5008 x 234 (Excel Engineering, Fridley)
cell: 612-790-WIRE (9473)
rick@exceleng.net
richard.gonzalez@xcelenergy.com