to the recorded meetings will be available on the Depart- ment's website and on the Commission's electronic docket- ing system (eDockets). Comments may be submitted after the meeting during the written comment period detailed in this notice. Prior to the meeting, presentation materials and handouts draft site permit for Commission approval. Once the EIS will be available on the Department's project website: https://mn.gov/eera/web/project/13784/. Following the meeting, questions and answers from the meeting will be compiled and may be viewed on the Department's project website. Plum Creek's applications as substantially complete on January 30, 2020. MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SCOPING MEETING Following the written comment period associated with the public information and scoping meeting, the Department will prepare and propose an EIS scoping decision and a In the Matter of the Applications of Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC for a Certificate of Need, Site Permit, and Route Permit for an up to 414 MW Large Wind Energy Conversion System and 345 kV Transmission Line in Cot- tonwood, Murray, and Redwood Counties, Minnesota PUC Docket Numbers: IP6997/CN-18-699 (Certificate of Need), IP6997/WS-18-700 (Site Permit), and IP6997/TL-18- 701 (Route Permit) PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utili- by 4:30 p.m. Please include the docket numbers (18. ties Commission (Commission) and Minnesota Depart- ment of Commerce (Department) will hold a remote-access received after the close of the comment period may or may public information and environmental impact statement (EIS) scoping meeting on the applications of Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC (Plum Creek) for its proposed 414 mega- watt (MW) large wind energy conversion system and 345 kilovolt (kV) high voltage transmission line project. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the remote-access meeting will replace the standard in-person meet- ing, as directed by the Governor's executive orders. Similar to an in-person meeting. the remote-access meeting will continue to provide interested persons the opportunity to: (1) learn about the state permit- ting process and the proposed project; and (2) ask questions and provide comments on potential issues and alternatives to be considered for analysis in the EIS or included as a condition in a draft site permit. scoping decision is issued, the Department will prepare the draft EIS. Upon completion of the draft EIS, an infor- mation meeting will be held to answer questions and to solicit comments on the draft EIS and draft site permit. Following the close of the comment period on the draft EIS and draft site permit, a contested case hearing will be held. The hearing will be conducted by an administrative law judge (ALJ) from the Office of Administrative Hear- ings. The hearing will provide an opportunity for inter- ested persons to ask questions, provide verbal and writ- ten comments, and present evidence on all components of the proposed project. The ALJ will submit a report to the Commission containing findings, conclusions, and a recommendation. Upon receipt of the report from the ALJ. the Commission will make a decision on the certificate of need, site permit, and route permit applications. For statute and rule information see Minn. Stat. $ 216B.243 and Minn. R. ch. 7849 (certificate of need): Minn. Stat, ch. 216F and Minn. R. ch. 7854 (site permit): Minn. Stat. ch. 216E and Minn. R. ch. 7850 (route permit) at: https://www.revisor.mn.gov. WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD Written comments will be accepted through July 7, 2020, not be considered by the Commission. Please focus your comments on information that will help answer the following questions: What potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project should be considered in the EIS and the draft site permit? What are possible methods to minimize, mitigate, or avoid potential impacts of the proposed project that should be considered in the EIS and the draft site permit? Are there any alternative routes or route segments that should be considered to address potential impacts FIling Requirements. Utilities, telecommunications associated with the 345 kV transmission line? Are there any unique characteristics of the proposed site or the project that should be considered? Are there other ways to meet the stated need for the project, for example, a different size project or a dif ferent type of facility? If so, what alternatives to the project should be studied in the EIS? Are there any items missing or mischaracterized in any of the applications, or issues that need further development? ADDITIONAL INFORMATION carriers, official parties, and state agencies are required to file documents using the Commission's electronie filing system (eFiling): https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFil ing. How to Attend the Meeting Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Remote-Access Hearing (telephone and/ or internet) Full Case Record. See all documents filed in this docket via the Commission's website at mn.gov/puc, select eDock- ets, enter the year (18) and the docket number (699, 700, or 701), and select Search. Time: Location: *The meeting will end when all attendees have had the opportunity to comment and all other business has been concluded. To find out if the meeting is canceled call 1-855-731-6208 or Online: https://mn.gov/commerce/ 651-201-2213 or visit mn.gov/puc. Subscribe to the Docket. To receive email notification when new documents are filed in this matter visit: https:// www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling, select Subscribe to Dockets and follow the prompts. Comments may be submitted via: energyfacilities/#comment Email: U.S. Mail: Bill Storm, Environmental Review Manager project milestones and opportunities to participate or bill.stormstate.mn.us Project Mailing List. Sign up to receive notices about To participate, follow the directions below to access the meeting over the telephone to listen and/or provide verbal comments (audio only). If you are also interested in accessing the video portion of the meeting. follow the directions below to view the presentation over the inter- net (video only - no audio). You must at a minimum join the meeting by telephone if you are interested in listening to the meeting and/or in providing verbal comments on the proposed project. Written comments may also be submitted during the comment period fol- lowing the meeting using the methods described in this notice. Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East, Suite 500 St. Paul MN 55101 651-539-0109 change your mailing preference. Email docketing.puea state.mn.us or call Leesa Norton at 651-201-2246 with the docket number (18-699, 18-700, or 18-701). your name, mail- ing address, and email address. x: Department of Commerce Project Website: https:// mn.gov/eera/web/project/13784/ Important. Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission's website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Govern- ment Data Practices Act. The Commission does not edit or delete personal identifying information from submissions. Community Locations. The applications are available for viewing at these locations: Tracy Public Library, 189 3rd St, Tracy, MN 56175 Lamberton Public Library, 101 2nd Ave E. Lamberton, MN 56152 Westbrook Public Library, 556 Ist Ave, Westbrook, MN S6183 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Join the hearing by telephone Phone: 1-866-609-6127 Conference ID: 1798655 An operator will assist you. Plum Creek, an affiliate of Geronimo Energy, LLC, is proposing to construct a 414 MW large wind energy conversion system (LWECS) consisting of 74 to 110 wind turbines ranging from 2.8 to 5.6 MW in size and an as- sociated 31-mile 345 kV transmission line. The proposed wind facility would also include: above- or below-ground electric collection and communications lines; an above- ground electric feeder line; two collector substations; four permanent meteorological towers; a sonic or light detection and ranging unit; two aircraft detection light- ing system radars; an operation and maintenance build- ing, and new gravel access roads. The associated 345 kV transmission line would be constructed on single-circuit monopole structures within a 150-foot right-of way and would connect the wind facility to the existing Brookings- to-Hampton 345 kV transmission line via a new switching station. The proposed project would be located in portions of Cottonwood, Murray, and Redwood counties. To view the presentation, join the hearing by inter- net (video only-no audio) Navigate on your computer to: https://tinyurl.com/ye- c1659g or https://minnesota.webex.com Event Number: 969723445 Event Password, if needed: QPzGkfmus26 Note: Due to the Convid-19 pandemic your local library may be closed or have limited hours. CONTACT INFORMATION Public Utilities Commission Charley Bruce, Public Advisor, publicadvisor.puee state.mn.us or 651-201-2251 Sott Ek. Energy Facilities Planner, scott.ek@ state.mn.us or 651-201-2255 Please contact Charley Bruce, Public Advisor (contact information provided below) if you have questions on how to participate or have trouble accessing the meeting. Important. If you do not have adequate access to the in ternet and want to review the materials being presented, contact Bill Storm (contact information provided below) to receive print coples via U.S. Mail prior to the meeting date, Department of Commerce Bili Storm, Environmental Review Manager, bill.storm state.mn.us or 651-539-1844 Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC PROCESS INFORMATION Jenny Monson-Miller, Permitting Specialist, jenny geronimoenergy.com or 92-988-9000 Meeting Questions. An opportunity to ask questions and provide comments will be provided at the end of the meeting presentation; you must join the meeting by telephone in order to participate in the question and comment portion of the meeting. To submit a question in advance of the meeting, please mail or email your ques- tion to Bill Storm with "Meeting Question" in the subject line. There will be time set aside during the meeting to answer these questions. The Commission must approve a certificate of need, a site permit, and a route permit before the proposed Plum Creek Wind project can be built. The permitting process provides for extensive citizen participation and includes several opportunities for public input such as public meet- ings, public comment periods, and public hearings. The information gathered throughout the permitting process informs the Commission's final decision on a permit. The permitting process begins with the Commission's accep- If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these meetings, please contact the Commission at 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance of the meeting. To request this document in another format such as large print or audio, call 651- 296-0406 (voice). Persons with a hearing or speech impair- ment may call using their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service or email consumer.puce state.mn.us for assistance. Recording of Meeting. The meeting will be recorded and tance of a permit application. The Commission accepted made available for review after the meeting date. Links to the recorded meetings will be available on the Depart- ment's website and on the Commission's electronic docket- ing system (eDockets). Comments may be submitted after the meeting during the written comment period detailed in this notice. Prior to the meeting, presentation materials and handouts draft site permit for Commission approval. Once the EIS will be available on the Department's project website: https://mn.gov/eera/web/project/13784/. Following the meeting, questions and answers from the meeting will be compiled and may be viewed on the Department's project website. Plum Creek's applications as substantially complete on January 30, 2020. MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SCOPING MEETING Following the written comment period associated with the public information and scoping meeting, the Department will prepare and propose an EIS scoping decision and a In the Matter of the Applications of Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC for a Certificate of Need, Site Permit, and Route Permit for an up to 414 MW Large Wind Energy Conversion System and 345 kV Transmission Line in Cot- tonwood, Murray, and Redwood Counties, Minnesota PUC Docket Numbers: IP6997/CN-18-699 (Certificate of Need), IP6997/WS-18-700 (Site Permit), and IP6997/TL-18- 701 (Route Permit) PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utili- by 4:30 p.m. Please include the docket numbers (18. ties Commission (Commission) and Minnesota Depart- ment of Commerce (Department) will hold a remote-access received after the close of the comment period may or may public information and environmental impact statement (EIS) scoping meeting on the applications of Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC (Plum Creek) for its proposed 414 mega- watt (MW) large wind energy conversion system and 345 kilovolt (kV) high voltage transmission line project. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the remote-access meeting will replace the standard in-person meet- ing, as directed by the Governor's executive orders. Similar to an in-person meeting. the remote-access meeting will continue to provide interested persons the opportunity to: (1) learn about the state permit- ting process and the proposed project; and (2) ask questions and provide comments on potential issues and alternatives to be considered for analysis in the EIS or included as a condition in a draft site permit. scoping decision is issued, the Department will prepare the draft EIS. Upon completion of the draft EIS, an infor- mation meeting will be held to answer questions and to solicit comments on the draft EIS and draft site permit. Following the close of the comment period on the draft EIS and draft site permit, a contested case hearing will be held. The hearing will be conducted by an administrative law judge (ALJ) from the Office of Administrative Hear- ings. The hearing will provide an opportunity for inter- ested persons to ask questions, provide verbal and writ- ten comments, and present evidence on all components of the proposed project. The ALJ will submit a report to the Commission containing findings, conclusions, and a recommendation. Upon receipt of the report from the ALJ. the Commission will make a decision on the certificate of need, site permit, and route permit applications. For statute and rule information see Minn. Stat. $ 216B.243 and Minn. R. ch. 7849 (certificate of need): Minn. Stat, ch. 216F and Minn. R. ch. 7854 (site permit): Minn. Stat. ch. 216E and Minn. R. ch. 7850 (route permit) at: https://www.revisor.mn.gov. WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD Written comments will be accepted through July 7, 2020, not be considered by the Commission. Please focus your comments on information that will help answer the following questions: What potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project should be considered in the EIS and the draft site permit? What are possible methods to minimize, mitigate, or avoid potential impacts of the proposed project that should be considered in the EIS and the draft site permit? Are there any alternative routes or route segments that should be considered to address potential impacts FIling Requirements. Utilities, telecommunications associated with the 345 kV transmission line? Are there any unique characteristics of the proposed site or the project that should be considered? Are there other ways to meet the stated need for the project, for example, a different size project or a dif ferent type of facility? If so, what alternatives to the project should be studied in the EIS? Are there any items missing or mischaracterized in any of the applications, or issues that need further development? ADDITIONAL INFORMATION carriers, official parties, and state agencies are required to file documents using the Commission's electronie filing system (eFiling): https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFil ing. How to Attend the Meeting Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Remote-Access Hearing (telephone and/ or internet) Full Case Record. See all documents filed in this docket via the Commission's website at mn.gov/puc, select eDock- ets, enter the year (18) and the docket number (699, 700, or 701), and select Search. Time: Location: *The meeting will end when all attendees have had the opportunity to comment and all other business has been concluded. To find out if the meeting is canceled call 1-855-731-6208 or Online: https://mn.gov/commerce/ 651-201-2213 or visit mn.gov/puc. Subscribe to the Docket. To receive email notification when new documents are filed in this matter visit: https:// www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling, select Subscribe to Dockets and follow the prompts. Comments may be submitted via: energyfacilities/#comment Email: U.S. Mail: Bill Storm, Environmental Review Manager project milestones and opportunities to participate or bill.stormstate.mn.us Project Mailing List. Sign up to receive notices about To participate, follow the directions below to access the meeting over the telephone to listen and/or provide verbal comments (audio only). If you are also interested in accessing the video portion of the meeting. follow the directions below to view the presentation over the inter- net (video only - no audio). You must at a minimum join the meeting by telephone if you are interested in listening to the meeting and/or in providing verbal comments on the proposed project. Written comments may also be submitted during the comment period fol- lowing the meeting using the methods described in this notice. Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East, Suite 500 St. Paul MN 55101 651-539-0109 change your mailing preference. Email docketing.puea state.mn.us or call Leesa Norton at 651-201-2246 with the docket number (18-699, 18-700, or 18-701). your name, mail- ing address, and email address. x: Department of Commerce Project Website: https:// mn.gov/eera/web/project/13784/ Important. Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission's website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Govern- ment Data Practices Act. The Commission does not edit or delete personal identifying information from submissions. Community Locations. The applications are available for viewing at these locations: Tracy Public Library, 189 3rd St, Tracy, MN 56175 Lamberton Public Library, 101 2nd Ave E. Lamberton, MN 56152 Westbrook Public Library, 556 Ist Ave, Westbrook, MN S6183 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Join the hearing by telephone Phone: 1-866-609-6127 Conference ID: 1798655 An operator will assist you. Plum Creek, an affiliate of Geronimo Energy, LLC, is proposing to construct a 414 MW large wind energy conversion system (LWECS) consisting of 74 to 110 wind turbines ranging from 2.8 to 5.6 MW in size and an as- sociated 31-mile 345 kV transmission line. The proposed wind facility would also include: above- or below-ground electric collection and communications lines; an above- ground electric feeder line; two collector substations; four permanent meteorological towers; a sonic or light detection and ranging unit; two aircraft detection light- ing system radars; an operation and maintenance build- ing, and new gravel access roads. The associated 345 kV transmission line would be constructed on single-circuit monopole structures within a 150-foot right-of way and would connect the wind facility to the existing Brookings- to-Hampton 345 kV transmission line via a new switching station. The proposed project would be located in portions of Cottonwood, Murray, and Redwood counties. To view the presentation, join the hearing by inter- net (video only-no audio) Navigate on your computer to: https://tinyurl.com/ye- c1659g or https://minnesota.webex.com Event Number: 969723445 Event Password, if needed: QPzGkfmus26 Note: Due to the Convid-19 pandemic your local library may be closed or have limited hours. CONTACT INFORMATION Public Utilities Commission Charley Bruce, Public Advisor, publicadvisor.puee state.mn.us or 651-201-2251 Sott Ek. Energy Facilities Planner, scott.ek@ state.mn.us or 651-201-2255 Please contact Charley Bruce, Public Advisor (contact information provided below) if you have questions on how to participate or have trouble accessing the meeting. Important. If you do not have adequate access to the in ternet and want to review the materials being presented, contact Bill Storm (contact information provided below) to receive print coples via U.S. Mail prior to the meeting date, Department of Commerce Bili Storm, Environmental Review Manager, bill.storm state.mn.us or 651-539-1844 Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC PROCESS INFORMATION Jenny Monson-Miller, Permitting Specialist, jenny geronimoenergy.com or 92-988-9000 Meeting Questions. An opportunity to ask questions and provide comments will be provided at the end of the meeting presentation; you must join the meeting by telephone in order to participate in the question and comment portion of the meeting. To submit a question in advance of the meeting, please mail or email your ques- tion to Bill Storm with "Meeting Question" in the subject line. There will be time set aside during the meeting to answer these questions. The Commission must approve a certificate of need, a site permit, and a route permit before the proposed Plum Creek Wind project can be built. The permitting process provides for extensive citizen participation and includes several opportunities for public input such as public meet- ings, public comment periods, and public hearings. The information gathered throughout the permitting process informs the Commission's final decision on a permit. The permitting process begins with the Commission's accep- If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these meetings, please contact the Commission at 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance of the meeting. To request this document in another format such as large print or audio, call 651- 296-0406 (voice). Persons with a hearing or speech impair- ment may call using their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service or email consumer.puce state.mn.us for assistance. Recording of Meeting. The meeting will be recorded and tance of a permit application. The Commission accepted made available for review after the meeting date. Links