INFORMATION #4 05-07-2007
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Scott Clark, Community Development Director
DATE: May 7,2007
SUBJECT: GRE Information
In order to keep the Council informed, I have attached a memo from GRE regarding an
"ES Line" Rebuild Project, which will affect a small portion of Elk River. Also attached is a
sample letter that was mailed to property owners who may be affected by tree removal
and! or vegetative pruning within the easement lines.
S,\Conununity Development\Scott Cluk\2007 CCmemos\05 07 07 GRE lines,doc
ES Line Rebuild Project
GREAT RIVER ENERGY
17845 East Hwy 10 P.O. Box 800
Elk River, MN 55330-0800
1-800-442-3013
www.greatriverenergy.com
GREATKIYER
ENE R G Y"
Proiect Need
Great River Energy, power supplier to Connexus Energy and 27 other Minnesota cooperatives, will be
rebuilding a portion of its 69,000 volt (69 kV) "ES" transmission line running between Hanson Boulevard
and Elk River (the blue line shown on back). This rebuild is necessary due to increased electrical loads in
the area and due to the age and operating condition of the existing transmission line.
Planned Proiect
The 13 miles of line will be rebuilt using heavier grade conductor wire
attached to horizontal post insulators that will be affixed to new wood
poles (see representative photo on right). In addition to the three
conductor wires, a fiber optic lightning protection wire will be attached to
the poles. The transmission line voltage will not change and, with minor
exceptions, the same pole alignment will be followed, although the poles
will not be replaced in the exact same location. Where the line is
currently a double circuit, each pole will carry six conductor wires and
the fiber optic lightning protection wire.
Tree and Veaetation Removal
To provide a safe and reliable transmission corridor, Great River Energy
will be re-establishing its easement area which is generally 35 feet on
each side of the transmission centerline. Removal of all tall growing
trees and vegetation will be required, including trees that have been
trimmed in the past. A GRE representative will contact you regarding
the necessary removal.
Typical New
69 kV Transmission Structure
Representative Photo
Access and Construction
Access to the transmission line will generally be from existing roads or along the easement corridor. If
necessary, GRE will work with the landowners to determine the best access route. Fences will be
temporarily removed and replaced where necessary. Construction activities will begin with tree and
vegetation removal this spring and the actual line rebuild will start in late fall.
Contact
Dale Aukee
Field Representative
Great River Energy
763-241-2229
Pat Carlson
Contractor for
Great River Energy
763-241-5663
3/7/2007
GREAT RIVER
ENERGY'
17845 East Highway 10 . P.O. Box 800 . Elk River, 0innesota 55330-0800 . 763-441-3121
April 25, 2007
RUSSELL G & LINDA J H~~~~ \r S
3749 172ND LN NW '\ ' \
ANDOVER, MN 55304-0000
. Fax 763-241-2366
ES Line Rebuild
WO #66271
SUBJECT: Great River Energy's 69 kV Transmission Line Rebuild
PIN No. 083224210006
Great River Energy (GRE), power supplier to Connexus Energy and 27 other member cooperatives, is the
owner of the 69,000 volt (69 kV) electric transmission line that runs along your property. This 13 mile
transmission line was built in the 1970's and due to its age and operating condition needs to be rebuilt to
meet increased electrical demand. The line wi!1 continue to operate at the same voltage and be rebuilt
along the existing centerline with slightly taller poles to provide proper clearances. The new pole locations
will, however, vary from their existing location.
An important part of this project will be re-establishing the easement area, generally 35 feet on each side
of the line. In this area, all tall growing trees and vegetation will be removed, including trees that in the
past may have been trimmed. While we understand removing trees is not favorable it is necessary to
provide a safe and reliable electric system. Low growing trees or vegetation on the outer part of the
easement will be allowed to remain where reasonable. There will be no work on any oak trees until mid-
July. A GRE representative will contact you regarding the removal of trees and vegetation.
A fact sheet describing the project details and a copy GRE's right of way maintenance practices are
enclosed. Construction is scheduled to start in iate fall. Once a construction start date is set you will be
notified by mail.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 763-241-2229.
Sincerely,
GREAT RIVER ENERGY
'b <:.J...A...L,. LJ-.....u.....\(....UL.o
Dale Aukee
Field Representative
Enclosures
CC: Tom Guttormson, Connexus Energy
Will Neumeister, City of Andover
......-Scott Clark, City of Elk River
Brian Olson, City of Ramsey
Mike Kelly, Anoka County
D@":\Uines\eSPSXlineS\notif.ltrS\ProjectaCtvltr.dOC
DirectDial (763) 241-2229
E-Mail daukee(a)grenergy.com
INWW.GreatRiverEnergy.com _
A Touchstone Energy~ Cooperative ~
FAX (763) 241-6003