So much transmission, and data centers…

In transmission, “it’s all connected.” Yes, transmission is all connected, and yes, there are data centers (and YES, I need to prettify this… someday!):

BUT careful, the point of the 765 kV is NOT to power data centers — it’s to take the export load off the 345 kV system which is handling both export and all the local load for everything else. Doing that, moving the export up to a 765 kV overlay not only does exactly that, but that 765 kV also provides a lot of additional export capacity, which is what those utilities want. Gotta move that surplus power out in those valleys between the peaks!

With the export power removed, there’s also a lot more capacity to power everything imaginable, including those data centers! For example, above, note there’s that double circuit 345 kV Mankato-Mississippi line going into the “North Rochester” substation, but there’s only one circuit coming out of the substation and then sharing structure with the single circuit CapX 2020! Same with CapX, it’ll now be a double circuit coming down to North Rochester, and remains a single circuit to Wisconsin. And then there’s the Prairie Island-Byron, that ancient single circuit will be upgraded and a 2nd circuit added, so more power there.

This reminds me of geneology, all the charts and graphs and circles and arrows — more than my brain can handle.

p.s. Hermantown may be a whole ‘nother matter!

p.p.s. And there IS this, the letter from Governors, including Walz, of support for Tranche 2.1, which does say:

MISO’s approach in developing a portfolio that seeks to optimize between transmission and generation investments to maintain reliability across MISO’s footprint is even more critical given the potential for long-term local growth from the reshoring of American manufacturing, the growth of electric vehicle adoption, and the recent emergence of data center growth (emphasis added).

Night before last, during a dog & pony show, I’d commented that Xcel’s demand was flat, in response to a claim that we “need” more generation. Later, a man said that he didn’t believe that Xcel’s demand was flat. I noted that I got that from Xcel’s SEC 10-K filings, that I’d been tracking it since 2000, and he kept repeating that he didn’t believe it. What can I say to that??

LOOK IT UP!!!

But actually, I lied!?!?! Xcel’s 2025 demand was DOWN 377 MW from 2024.

Xcel demand… sigh… DOWN AGAIN!

February 25th, 2026

Here are the specifics:

2025’s peak of 8,445 MW is down 1,414 MW from the 2006 peak of 9859!

1,414 MW is more than the capacity of Prairie Island’s two nuclear reactors. That lays bare the rationale for Xcel’s extreme push for export.

Some resources to consider as this transmission routing docket goes forward.

Here’s the draft permit — look for issues not addressed:

And the DNR’s comment – what has been included in the draft permit and what’s missing:

And here’s the application — really need to pick a section of this to review that interests you. There’s something for everyone!

The notice for the public hearings on the Xcel application for transmission for the Pine Island Google Echo Zone data center, Phase I, just hit the inbox after Wednesday’s Prehearing Conference:

Here’s where and when:

There’s also an online hearing, and directions on how to join are in the Notice:

Comments are due by Friday, September 25th, and comments on Findings of Fact are due Friday, October 9::

During the PHC, I’d proposed the option of submitting Findings of Fact, editing or deleting what was proposed, or adding new ones, something normal in the usual process, but in this new ram-it-through process is absent, I wanted to get that option in there. Public participation is being left in the dust, and I don’t want that to happen!!

Also, I was VERY concerned about lack of notice of the Prehearing Conference. HOW CAN PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IF THEY DON’T GET NOTICE?!?!?! This is a new process, with a very short timeline, and many people are interested, showing up for meetings, and commenting in scoping and in the docket generally, but very few were on the notice list for the PHC. WHAT?!?! I requested that those commenting be added to the service list, and many, I hope ALL, were added, and that is MUCH appreciated. People can’t participate if they don’t have notice (and often I think that’s the point of limited service lists — color me jaundiced after 30+ years). Check out the expanded notice list — if you’re not there and want to be on the list, contact saarah.maxon@state.mn.us

Mark your calendars. September 14 & 15 for hearings, September 25 comments are due, and October 9, Findings of Fact.

Just got Notice of Prehearing Conference, Notice at 3:55 p.m., Order signed today, August 24, 2026. Guess when this Prehearing Conference will happen?

AUGUST 26, 2026 @ 10 a.m.

Microsoft Teams

Meeting  ID: 240 300 318 194 320

Passcode: Mq7ce2Aq

Yeah, really… two days notice.

If you can, join to witness and show that people are concerned, people are watching. What happens at the first Prehearing Conference is that a schedule is determined, procedural issues worked out. It’ll probably be short, and mostly “Greek to me” for those who haven’t done this before, but it’s the only way to learn how this works, and how it doesn’t work.

The PUC’s Order said:

Expeditiously? Here’s what arrived:

So I just filed this missive — the Prehearing Conference needs to be rescheduled:

Here’s what I received in response:

So I fired this off.

Head is exploding. I’m getting aerobic exercise reading these missives, and one good thing is that it may help me endure long enough to do a Meyer Shark!