NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL PUBLIC
INFORMATION AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING MEETING
AND EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIOD
Issued March 24, 2025

In the Matter of the Joint Application of Midwater BESS, LLC for a Site Permit and Route Permit for the up to 150 MW Midwater Energy Storage Project and Associated 161 kV
Transmission Line in Freeborn County, Minnesota.
Docket Number: IP-7138/ESS-24-294, IP-7138/TL-24-295
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings for Midwater BESS, LLC’s (Applicant) joint application for a site permit and route permit to construct and operate an up to 150-megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated facilities (BESS Facility), and an approximately 2,668-foot long, 161 kilovolt (kV) high voltage transmission line (HVTL) and associated facilities (HVTL Facility). See attached map.
In-Person Meeting
Date: April 7, 2025 (Monday)
Time: 5:00 pm (doors open) 6:00 – 9:00 pm (public meeting)
Location: Glenville First Lutheran Church
140 3rd Ave SW, Glenville, MN 56036
Link to Google Map

The purpose of the meeting is to: (1) provide information about the proposed project and the state’s permitting process; and (2) provide the public with an opportunity to participate in developing the scope of the environmental assessment.
Doors will open one hour prior to the meeting to provide attendees an opportunity to review the application, project maps, and other materials for the proposed project and ask questions of state staff and the applicant. During this time, comments made by attendees will become a part of the record for Commission consideration only if the attendee submits the comment in writing. Forms will be available for this purpose.
State staff and the applicant will both make presentations during the meeting. State staff will explain the permitting and environmental review processes, and the applicant will provide an overview of the proposed project. Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to offer oral and written comments for the record. The meeting will end when all attendees have had the opportunity to comment, and all other business has been concluded, or the scheduled end time of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The information presented will be the same at all in-person and online meetings.
If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these meetings, please contact the Commission at 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance of the meeting. To find out if a meeting is canceled due to bad weather or other information call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc.
Comment Period
Written comments will be accepted through April 21, by 4:30 p.m. Please include the docket numbers (24-294, 24-295) in all communications. Comments received after the close of the comment period may or may not be considered by the Commission.
Please focus your comments on information that will help answer the following questions:
• What potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project should be studied in the environmental assessment?
• Are there methods to minimize, mitigate, or avoid these impacts that should be studied in the environmental assessment?
• Are there any unique characteristics of the proposed route or the project that should be considered?
Submit Comments
Online: https://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/#comment
Email: jim.sullivan@state.mn.us
U.S. Mail: Jim Sullivan
Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101
Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission’s website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The Commission and the Department of Commerce do not edit or delete personal identifying information from submissions.
Additional Information
Minnesota Statutes and Rules. This project is being reviewed under the alternative permitting process in Minn. Stat. § 216E.04 and Minn. Rule Chapter 7850. The rules and statutes are available for review at: www.revisor.mn.gov
Review Process. Information on the review processes for certificates of need and site and route permits for large electric power facilities is available on the Commission’s website at: https://mn.gov/puc/activities/energy-facilities/
Filing Requirements. Utilities, telecommunications carriers, official parties, and state agencies are required to file documents using the Commission’s electronic filing system (eFiling). All parties, participants, and interested persons are also encouraged to use eFiling: mn.gov/puc/edockets, select Go to eDockets and follow the prompts.
Full Case Record. See all documents filed in this matter via the Commission’s website at mn.gov/puc/edockets, select Go to eDockets, under “Docket #s” enter “24-294” or “24-295”, and select Search.
Subscribe to the Docket. To receive email notification when new documents are filed in this matter visit: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/subscriptions/verify, enter your email address and follow the prompts sent via email.
Project Mailing List. Sign up to receive notices about project milestones and opportunities to participate or change your mailing preference. Email eservice.admin@state.mn.us or call 651- 201-2246 with the docket number (24-294 or 24-295), your name, mailing address, and email address.
Department of Commerce Website: https://eera.web.commerce.state.mn.us/web/project/15971 Site and Route Permit Application. A copy of the Application is also available for review at the Albert Lea Public Library located at 211 E Clark St, Albert Lea, MN 56007.
Contacts
Public Utilities Commission
Jacques Harvieux, Energy Facilities Planner, jacques.harvieux@state.mn.us or 651-201-2233
Scott Ek, Public Advisor, scott.ek@state.mn.us or (651) 201-2255.
Department of Commerce Jim Sullivan, Environmental Review Manager, jim.sullivan@state.mn.us or 651-539-1059.
Midwater BESS, LLC Mary Matze at (786) 321-9379 or by emailing Team@MidwaterBattery.com
To request this document in another format such as large print or audio, call 651-296-0406 (voice). Persons with a hearing or speech impairment may call using their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service or email consumer.puc@state.mn.us for assistance.