Notice of Filing of Certificate of Need, Site Permit, and Route Permit Applications for the Big Bend Wind Project and Certificate of Need and Site Permit Applications for the Red Rock Solar Project PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING MEETING PROJECT CONTACTS The Commission and the Minesota Department of Commerce (Department) will hold a public information and environmental assessment (EA) scoping meeting on the Applications at a future date. Please look for future notices providing additional details regarding the meeting. Public Utilities Commission Public Advisor for Wind Project Charley Bruce at publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us or (651) 201-2251 or 1 (800) 657-3782. Please take notice that Big Bend Wind, LLC (Big Bend) and Red Rock Solar, LLC (Red Rock), subsidiaries of Apex Clean Energy Holdings, LLC (Apex), filed applications for Minnesota's first potential wind-solar utility-scale hybrid renewable project in Cottonwood, Watonwan, and Martin Counties, Minnesota with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) on November 9, 2020. Big Bend filed Certificate of Need (CN) and Site Permit (SP) applications for an up to 308 megawatt (MW) large wind energy conversion system and associated facilities to be located in Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota (Wind Project); Red Rock filed CN and SP applications for an up to 60 MW solar energy conversion facility and associated facilities in Cottonwood County, Minnesota (Solar Project). Additionally, Big Bend filed a Route Permit application for a proposed 18-mile long 161 kilovolt (kV) transmission line proposed in Cottonwood, Martin, and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota needed to interconnect the projects to the transmission grid (Transmission Line). Big Bend and Red Rock have requested joint proceedings for the applications. Public Utilities Commission Public Advisor for Solar Project Cezar Panait at publicadvisor.puc@ state.mn.us or (651) 201-2251 or 1 (800) 657-3782. HOW TO LEARN MORE Department of Commerce Project Website: http:// mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities. Public Utilities Commission Staff Analyst for Wind Project Cezar Panait at cezar.panait@ state.mn.us or (651) 201-2251 or 1 (800) 657-3782. Full Case Record: All documents filed in these dockets are available on the Commission's website at https:// mn.gov/puc/. Select "eDockets," and under the category of Public Utilities Commission "Docket Number," enter the year (19) and docket number (408 for the Wind Project CN; 619 for the Wind Project SP; 486 for the Solar Project CN; 620 for the Solar Project SP; and 621 for the Transmission Line Route Permit), then select "Search." Staff Analyst for Solar Project Charley Bruce at charley.bruce@state.mn.us or (651) 201-2251 or 1 (800) 657-3782. Department of Commerce Environmental Review Manager Richard Davis at richard.davis@state.mn.us or (651) 539-1846. Subscribe to the Docket: The best way to stay informed is to "subscribe" to receive e-mail notifications when new documents are filed in the docket: If you wish to receive written notices of the Project milestones regarding the environmental review process, including notice of the availability of the draft EA, please sign up for the Project contact list by contacting the Public Advisor indicated above. 1. Follow the steps above to access the full case record. PROJECT LOCATION 2. Select box under Subscribe and click on Subscribe. The total renewable energy generation could consist of up to 335 MW of renewable energy (275 MW of wind and 60 MW of solar), or up to 308 MW of only wind. 3. Type your e-mail address. 4. For Type of Subscription, select Docket Number. 5. For Docket Number, select 19 in the first box and type the Wind Project, Solar Project, or Transmission Line or 408 for the Wind Project CN; 619 for the Wind Project SP; 486 for the Solar Project CN; 620 for the Solar Project SP: and 621 for the Transmission Line Route Permit in the second box. Should you require further information pertaining to The Wind Project footprint spans approximately 43,523 acres in portions of Delton, Selma, Carson, and Midway Townships in Cottonwood County and Butterfield Township in Watonwan County. Big Bend has not made a final selection of wind turbine generators but is proposing to utilize between 54 and 55 turbines, ranging from 5.5 to 5.7 MW per turbine. In addition to the wind turbines, the Wind Project will consist of an electrical collection system, access roads, a permanent meteorological tower, an operations and maintenance facility, one substation, and other infrastructure typical of a wind farm. The Solar Project is within the boundaries of the proposed Applications are available for review at the following Wind Project site, spanning approximately 846 acres in Midway Township. Cottonwood County, Minnesota. The Solar Project will include solar panels and racking. inverters, security fencing, a substation, electrical collection and communication lines, stormwater basins, laydown areas, and up to three weather stations. the CN, Site Permit, or Route Permit Applications, please contact Apex's representative, Brenna Gunderson, at brenna.gunderson@apexcleanenergy.com or (612) 260- 6614. 6. Select Add to List. 7. Select Save. Project Mailing List: Contact the Public Advisor (see below). Brown County Comtrey Cottorwood County Watomwan County La Salle Public Libraries: The CN, SP, and Route Permit Jeffers public libraries: Darfur Saint James Mountain Lake Public Library, 1054 4th Avenue, Mountain Lake, MN 56159 Butterfield Library, 111 2nd Street, Butterfield, MN 56120 Butterfield Mountain Martin County Library, 190 W. Main Street, Trimont, MN 56176 ingham Lake Lake The Transmission Line will consist of approximately 18 miles of 161 kV transmission line located in portions of Midway, Mountain Lake, Odin, and Cedar townships in Cottonwood, Martin, and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota. The Transmission Line will connect the Wind Project and Stat. $ 216B.243 and Minn. R. Chs. 7829 and 7849. The the Solar Project to an existing 345 kV transmission line near Xcel Energy Crandall Switching Station in Martin County, Minnesota. Odin Minnesota Statutes and Rules: The Wind Project and Solar Project CNs are being reviewed under Minn. Windom Ormsby Wilder Wind Project SP is being reviewed under Minn. Stat. Ch. 216F and Minn. R. Ch. 7854. The Solar Project SP is eligible for consideration by the Commission under the alternative permitting process in Minn. Stat. $ 216E.04 and Minn. R. 7850.2800 and 7859.3900. The Route Permit is being reviewed under Minn. Stat. $ 216E.03 and Minn. R. 7850.1700-7850.2700. Minnesota Statutes and Rules are available at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/. Trimont Solar Project The accompanying map outlines the location of the Wind Project, Solar Project, and Transmission Line. Transmission Line Lakefield Mnd Project 0:0 Aunog ue Aunop uo er Notice of Filing of Certificate of Need, Site Permit, and Route Permit Applications for the Big Bend Wind Project and Certificate of Need and Site Permit Applications for the Red Rock Solar Project PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING MEETING PROJECT CONTACTS The Commission and the Minesota Department of Commerce (Department) will hold a public information and environmental assessment (EA) scoping meeting on the Applications at a future date. Please look for future notices providing additional details regarding the meeting. Public Utilities Commission Public Advisor for Wind Project Charley Bruce at publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us or (651) 201-2251 or 1 (800) 657-3782. Please take notice that Big Bend Wind, LLC (Big Bend) and Red Rock Solar, LLC (Red Rock), subsidiaries of Apex Clean Energy Holdings, LLC (Apex), filed applications for Minnesota's first potential wind-solar utility-scale hybrid renewable project in Cottonwood, Watonwan, and Martin Counties, Minnesota with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) on November 9, 2020. Big Bend filed Certificate of Need (CN) and Site Permit (SP) applications for an up to 308 megawatt (MW) large wind energy conversion system and associated facilities to be located in Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota (Wind Project); Red Rock filed CN and SP applications for an up to 60 MW solar energy conversion facility and associated facilities in Cottonwood County, Minnesota (Solar Project). Additionally, Big Bend filed a Route Permit application for a proposed 18-mile long 161 kilovolt (kV) transmission line proposed in Cottonwood, Martin, and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota needed to interconnect the projects to the transmission grid (Transmission Line). Big Bend and Red Rock have requested joint proceedings for the applications. Public Utilities Commission Public Advisor for Solar Project Cezar Panait at publicadvisor.puc@ state.mn.us or (651) 201-2251 or 1 (800) 657-3782. HOW TO LEARN MORE Department of Commerce Project Website: http:// mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities. Public Utilities Commission Staff Analyst for Wind Project Cezar Panait at cezar.panait@ state.mn.us or (651) 201-2251 or 1 (800) 657-3782. Full Case Record: All documents filed in these dockets are available on the Commission's website at https:// mn.gov/puc/. Select "eDockets," and under the category of Public Utilities Commission "Docket Number," enter the year (19) and docket number (408 for the Wind Project CN; 619 for the Wind Project SP; 486 for the Solar Project CN; 620 for the Solar Project SP; and 621 for the Transmission Line Route Permit), then select "Search." Staff Analyst for Solar Project Charley Bruce at charley.bruce@state.mn.us or (651) 201-2251 or 1 (800) 657-3782. Department of Commerce Environmental Review Manager Richard Davis at richard.davis@state.mn.us or (651) 539-1846. Subscribe to the Docket: The best way to stay informed is to "subscribe" to receive e-mail notifications when new documents are filed in the docket: If you wish to receive written notices of the Project milestones regarding the environmental review process, including notice of the availability of the draft EA, please sign up for the Project contact list by contacting the Public Advisor indicated above. 1. Follow the steps above to access the full case record. PROJECT LOCATION 2. Select box under Subscribe and click on Subscribe. The total renewable energy generation could consist of up to 335 MW of renewable energy (275 MW of wind and 60 MW of solar), or up to 308 MW of only wind. 3. Type your e-mail address. 4. For Type of Subscription, select Docket Number. 5. For Docket Number, select 19 in the first box and type the Wind Project, Solar Project, or Transmission Line or 408 for the Wind Project CN; 619 for the Wind Project SP; 486 for the Solar Project CN; 620 for the Solar Project SP: and 621 for the Transmission Line Route Permit in the second box. Should you require further information pertaining to The Wind Project footprint spans approximately 43,523 acres in portions of Delton, Selma, Carson, and Midway Townships in Cottonwood County and Butterfield Township in Watonwan County. Big Bend has not made a final selection of wind turbine generators but is proposing to utilize between 54 and 55 turbines, ranging from 5.5 to 5.7 MW per turbine. In addition to the wind turbines, the Wind Project will consist of an electrical collection system, access roads, a permanent meteorological tower, an operations and maintenance facility, one substation, and other infrastructure typical of a wind farm. The Solar Project is within the boundaries of the proposed Applications are available for review at the following Wind Project site, spanning approximately 846 acres in Midway Township. Cottonwood County, Minnesota. The Solar Project will include solar panels and racking. inverters, security fencing, a substation, electrical collection and communication lines, stormwater basins, laydown areas, and up to three weather stations. the CN, Site Permit, or Route Permit Applications, please contact Apex's representative, Brenna Gunderson, at brenna.gunderson@apexcleanenergy.com or (612) 260- 6614. 6. Select Add to List. 7. Select Save. Project Mailing List: Contact the Public Advisor (see below). Brown County Comtrey Cottorwood County Watomwan County La Salle Public Libraries: The CN, SP, and Route Permit Jeffers public libraries: Darfur Saint James Mountain Lake Public Library, 1054 4th Avenue, Mountain Lake, MN 56159 Butterfield Library, 111 2nd Street, Butterfield, MN 56120 Butterfield Mountain Martin County Library, 190 W. Main Street, Trimont, MN 56176 ingham Lake Lake The Transmission Line will consist of approximately 18 miles of 161 kV transmission line located in portions of Midway, Mountain Lake, Odin, and Cedar townships in Cottonwood, Martin, and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota. The Transmission Line will connect the Wind Project and Stat. $ 216B.243 and Minn. R. Chs. 7829 and 7849. The the Solar Project to an existing 345 kV transmission line near Xcel Energy Crandall Switching Station in Martin County, Minnesota. Odin Minnesota Statutes and Rules: The Wind Project and Solar Project CNs are being reviewed under Minn. Windom Ormsby Wilder Wind Project SP is being reviewed under Minn. Stat. Ch. 216F and Minn. R. Ch. 7854. The Solar Project SP is eligible for consideration by the Commission under the alternative permitting process in Minn. Stat. $ 216E.04 and Minn. R. 7850.2800 and 7859.3900. The Route Permit is being reviewed under Minn. Stat. $ 216E.03 and Minn. R. 7850.1700-7850.2700. Minnesota Statutes and Rules are available at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/. Trimont Solar Project The accompanying map outlines the location of the Wind Project, Solar Project, and Transmission Line. Transmission Line Lakefield Mnd Project 0:0 Aunog ue Aunop uo er