Protect Your Property Rights Against Minnesota Energy Connection Eminent Domain Claims
If your residential, farm or commercial property is in the path of the coming 175-mile transmission line that will be the baseline for the Minnesota Energy Connection, you are right to be concerned. It is a smart idea to seek out legal counsel. Turning the situation around may mean:
- Garnering public support to stop the seizure of land in your area
- Persuading powers that be to divert a land grab in a different direction
- Insisting on proper compensation if eminent domain is inevitable and nonnegotiable
At Evenson Decker, P.A., our litigation team has helped many Minnesotans fight back when eminent domain threatened their property rights. We have taken cases all the way to the United States Supreme Court in order to defend our clients’ property rights, so you can rest assured that we will zealously advocate for you.
What Is The MN Energy Connection?
The Minnesota Energy Connection – also called the MN Energy Connection – is a project proposal to build a transmission line between Lyon County and Becker, connecting wind and solar power energy to existing Sherco power plant grid lines. The Sherco lines (formerly carrying coal-generated power) are being retired or are scheduled to be retired. Current routes for the new transmission lines are under discussion. Xcel Energy indicates that it expects easements to be acquired and construction to begin by about 2028.
In the near future, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will be holding public hearings and other relevant meetings. Decisions about routes and other details related to the construction of the new transmission line may have a significant impact on property owners along its resulting path, potentially affecting areas in or near Becker and other communities such as the following:
- Marshall, Granite Falls, Willmar, Litchfield. Grove City, Manannah, Luxemburg and Harvey Townships, Kimball, St. Joseph, Eden Valley. Watkins, St. Augusta, Clearwater and Clear Lake.
We encourage potentially affected property owners to ask for our guidance on easements, environmental impact, eminent domain and related property-use issues as soon as possible.
Take Action: Contact Evenson Decker, P.A., For Guidance
Don’t just let the land grab associated with the MN Energy Connection project take you by surprise. Attend informational meetings, read about the project, ask your elected officials for information and contact us at one of our offices in St. Cloud and/or Albany. Learn how Minnesota-specific eminent domain laws may provide the protection that you are looking for.
Call us at 320-301-1025 or send an email inquiry to schedule a consultation.