Minnesota PUC lays out next steps for ISA Transmission Project
St. Paul, MN — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission issued a draft route permit that included several special conditions for the proposed Iron Range – St. Louis County – Arrowhead 345 kV (ISA) Transmission Project. The special conditions reflect input received so far during the first public comment process. The Commission is also now accepting public comment on the certificate of need for this project.
The Commission authorized staff to prepare an Environmental Assessment Addendum, which will study several alternatives identified during the comment process, and an Environmental Report to assist in the Commission’s decision on the project’s need.
Next steps and project timeline
A comment period on the merits of the certificate of need application is open now, with initial comments due July 13, 2026. Over the next few months, Commission staff will prepare the Environmental Assessment Addendum and Environmental Report. The Commission will schedule and notice public hearings and comment periods on the Environmental Assessment Addendum and draft route permit, likely in September. A final Commission decision on the certificate of need and route permit is anticipated in late fall or winter.
Project background
Proposed by Minnesota Power and American Transmission Company, the ISA Transmission Project is a key segment of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Tranche 2.1 portfolio – a regional effort to strengthen the electrical backbone of the Midwest that began with long-range transmission planning in 2020. For Minnesota, this portfolio represents a significant investment in grid reliability and the infrastructure necessary to support the state’s evolving energy needs.
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About
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy: electricity, natural gas and telephone. The Commission’s mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate, and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with State telecommunications and energy policies. It does so by providing independent, consistent, professional, and comprehensive oversight and regulation of utility service providers. Learn more at mn.gov/puc.
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