Xcel Energy along with Dairyland Power Cooperative, Rochester Public Utilities, and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency have proposed the Mankato to Mississippi River Transmission Project to connect existing power substations in Mankato, Faribault, Pine Island, and Kellogg and to connect the Pine Island substation to an existing line northeast of Rochester.
The Project submitted a joint certificate of need and route permit application on April 2, 2024. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the Certificate of Need and Route Permit of the Project on February 5, 2026, with a subsequently issued order accepting the permit on April 14, 2026.
The Project is set to affect the following counties: Blue Earth, Dodge, Goodhue, Le Sueur, Olmsted, Rice, Wabasha, and Waseca. The route consists of four segments. The first and second segments will connect the Mankato, Faribault, and Pine Island Substations with the construction of approximately 90 miles of new 345-kV transmission line. Segment three will consist of upgrades to the 43 miles of existing line to connect the Pine Island and Kellogg substations. The fourth segment will be roughly 20 miles of new 161 kV transmission line connecting the Pine Island substation to the existing 161-kV line northeast of Rochester. In total the Project consists of approximately 120 miles of new and upgraded 345-kV transmission infrastructure, and 20 miles of new 161kV transmission line.
As the route has been approved and the Certificate of Need has been granted by the Public Utilities Commission, the Project must now acquire real property. Property is usually acquired in the form of easements that are typically 150 feet in width. The Project will exercise the power of eminent domain if it does not settle with individual landowners.
Each landowner has their own unique damages as a result of a taking, as well as from the construction of the powerlines on their property. Agricultural owners may have damages related to tile, crop, soil compaction, aerial spraying, or irrigation. Most landowners are also likely to suffer a loss of value to the remaining property outside the easement area. This means the Power Company must pay landowners not only for the land taken for an easement, but also for the reduction in value to their remaining property.
It is vital for landowners to hire an experienced Condemnation appraiser. These types of appraisals differ from regular appraisals. Landowners will be entitled to be reimbursed at least some of the appraiser’s fees, depending on various factors. Experienced counsel can help landowners connect with such an appraiser. The landowner is ultimately responsible for hiring the appraiser.
Landowners also need experienced legal counsel to assist them in maximizing their damages. In some cases, the power company must reimburse at least part of the attorney fees. Some landowners may wish to exercise their right to require the power company to purchase their entire property. This is commonly called a “Buy the Farm” option. You do not need to own a farm to make this election. Landowners should retain experienced legal counsel as soon as possible, as there are statutory procedures and deadlines that must be followed.
It is important to work with an attorney experienced in eminent domain matters who can assist landowners through the entire process from hiring an appraiser to final resolution. If your land is in the path of the line, please contact attorney Michael Rajkowski with Evenson Decker, P.A. at 320-253-7130 or [email protected] to schedule a free initial phone conference. With more than 37 years of experience, Attorney Rajkowski has successfully argued and won “Buy the Farm” cases before the Minnesota Supreme Court, and is ready to zealously advocate for you as a landowner.