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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 50, Number 27                                                                                                 July 7, 2026






Announcements

*Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee meeting*

*Wednesday, July 15, 1 – 4 p.m.
*Join us in person or virtually for the July 2026 Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee (ERIS) meeting. At this meeting, ERIS will hear an update on rulemaking for gas resource development projects. The subcommittee will also hear about the Environmental Review Program workplan and a continuous improvement report.  

More information about the meeting, including the meeting packet and virtual meeting information, can be found on the ERIS meeting webpage [ [link removed] ].






White-tailed male deer in a forest in Minnesota




Environmental review project notices

EQB publishes environmental review notices provided by responsible governmental units. For more information on a project undergoing environmental review, click on the individual project links below. You can also find information about active projects in your community on the Environmental Review Projects Interactive Map [ [link removed] ].

 

*Inver Grove Heights Data Center*

*Location: *Inver Grove Heights, Dakota County
*Process: *Petition
*Step: *Responsible governmental unit assigned

*Responsible governmental unit and contact:* City of Inver Grove Heights, Ellen Hiniker <[email protected]>,
651-450-2511

 

County State Aid Highway 54 Reconstruction and Mississippi River Greenway Extension [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Hastings; Dakota
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *August 6, 2026

*Project description: *The project will reconstruct seven miles of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 54 from 18th Street in Hastings to CSAH 68. Improvements include correcting substandard curves, widening the roadway, and adding a roundabout at the current intersection of CSAH 54 and CSAH 68. Dakota County has included a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail to extend the Mississippi River Greenway and link Hastings to the Prairie Island Indian Community in this EAW to ensure impacts from the maximum disturbance alternative are appropriately evaluated. However, per County Board direction on June 16, 2026, it has been determined that this project would not include a multi-use trail.
County State Aid Highway 54 Reconstruction and Mississippi River Greenway Extension project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Dakota County, 14955 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley,
MN 55124

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Dakota County, Imran Ahmed <[email protected]>,
952-891-7991

 

Silver Rapids Lodge [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Fall Lake Township; Lake
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *August 6, 2026

*Project description: *Leisure Hotels and Resorts is proposing construction of an update to and expansion of the existing Silver Rapids Lodge resort site located in Fall Lake Township, Lake County, Minnesota. The project will include demolition of a functionally obsolete lodge, the construction of a new lodge, 44 new cabins, as well as other amenities.

*Location of public documents:* Lake County Environmental Services, 601 3rd Avenue, 
Two Harbors, MN 55616

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Lake County, Bryr Ludington <[email protected]>, 218-834-8327

 

Marlow Ridge Development (Vierling Property) [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Prior Lake; Scott
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *June 23, 2026

*Project description: *The proposed project will develop approximately 113.2 acres of land in the City of Prior Lake for residential and business park uses. Initial development includes a mix of residential uses on approximately 87.7 acres and will be developed with 86 single-family detached units, 80 twin homes, 96 townhomes, stormwater management areas, curvilinear roads, and open spaces. Future development of the remaining approximately 25.5-acre business park area is planned to include commercial and light industrial uses.

*Location of public documents:* City of Prior Lake, 4646 Dakota St SE, Prior Lake,
MN 55372

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Prior Lake, Casey McCabe <[email protected]>,
952-447-9815

 

Dem-Con Landfill SW-290 MSW Allocation/Airspace Conversion [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Louisville Township; Scott
*Process: *EIS
*Step: *Draft EIS
*End of comment period: *August 13, 2026

*Project description: *Dem-Con Landfill is an existing 362-acre Class III Demolition Landfill in Louisville Township, Scott County, Minnesota. Dem-Con Landfill, LLC is permitted (SW-290) to accept construction and demolition (C&D) debris and certain types of industrial waste. Dem-Con Landfill, LLC proposes to convert approximately 2.2 million cubic yards of permitted C&D airspace to MSW airspace over an 81-acre fill area. Dem-Con Landfill will continue to accept C&D and industrial waste in separate areas of the Site.
Dem-Con Landfill SW-290 MSW Allocation/Airspace Conversion project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
520 Lafayette Road N, Saint Paul, MN 55155

*Public meeting date, time, location: *July 29, 2026, 5:00 p.m., Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St. S., Shakopee, MN 55379
*Public meeting additional details:* A public meeting will be held in the upper multi-purpose room from 5-7 p.m.

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
Charles Peterson <[email protected]>, 651-757-2856

 

Big Stone South to Alexandria 345 kV Transmission Line Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Alexandria, Big Stone, Douglas, Pope, Stevens, Swift
*Process: *Alternative review

*Notice title: *Final Permit Decision - Big Stone South to Alexandria Transmission Line
*Notice description: *On April 30, 2026, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission issued a route permit for the Big Stone South to Alexandria 345-kV Transmission Project in West-Central Minnesota as depicted on the maps attached to the route permit. The Commission adopted the Administrative Law Judge's Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendation to the extent they are consistent with the Commission's decision and found that the Environmental Impact Statement is adequate under Minn. R. 7850.2500, subp. 10.

*Project description: *The Applicants propose to construct over 90 miles of new transmission line from Big Stone South, South Dakota to Alexandria, Minnesota along portions of Big Stone, Swift, Stevens, Pope, and Douglas Counties. New transmission lines will be required to connect the existing substations in Big Stone South and Alexandria. Both of the existing substations would also require minor expansions. A new fiber optic Regeneration Station would be needed within the central segment of the project on 0.23 acres of land.
Big Stone South to Alexandria 345 kV Transmission Line Project project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Ramsey County Government Center, 121 Seventh Place E.,
St. Paul, MN 55101

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Jenna Ness <[email protected]>, 651-539-1061

 

Cottage Grove Battery Energy Storage System [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Cottage Grove, Washington
*Process: *Alternative review
*End of comment period: *July 20, 2026

*Notice title: *Cottage Grove Battery Energy Storage System - Site Permit Application Completeness
*Notice description: *The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public information meetings on LSP CG Storage, LLC’s proposed 80-megawatt (MW) / 320 megawatt hours (MWh) battery energy storage system and associated facilities in Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota. The project is proposed to be located on industrial land entirely within the existing LSP Cottage Grove Cogeneration Facility. Please consider providing information on the following questions: a. Are there potential human and environmental impacts or unique characteristics of the proposed project that are not addressed in the site permit application and EA prepared by the applicant? b. Are there any methods to mitigate potential impacts of the proposed project that require further evaluation? c. Are there any other alternative sites that should be considered to mitigate potential impacts associated with the project?

*Project description: *LSP CG Storage, LLC proposes to construct and operate the Cottage Grove BESS project, a battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated facilities with a nominal power rating of up to 80 megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) with approximately 320 megawatt-hours (MWh) of nameplate capacity in Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota. The project is proposed to be located on industrial land entirely within the existing LSP Cottage Grove Cogeneration Facility. Associated facilities will include a project substation, a gen tie line, laydown yard, and other temporary facilities. The project will connect to the 115 kV transmission system via the existing LSP Cottage Grove Cogeneration Facility substation bus bar. Additional information about this project is available on the Commission's project webpage [ [link removed] ] and on the eDockets webpage [ [link removed] ],
docket number IP7180/ESS-26-18.

*Location of public documents:* Cottage Grove Service Center, 13000 Ravine Parkway South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016

*First public meeting date, time, location: *July 7, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Glacial Valley Park Building, 9900 Ravine Parkway, Cottage Grove, MN 55106
*First public meeting additional details:* 5:30 pm (doors open), 6:00 - 8:00 pm (public meeting) The meeting ends when all present attendees have commented or at 8:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the meeting to provide attendees an opportunity to review the application, 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.

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *July 8, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Second public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Second public meeting additional details:*  Webinar Number: 2490 561 4052
Webinar Password: Cottage2026 (26882432from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2490 561 4052
If you are joining the meeting via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the meeting, use the raised-hand function or the chat function to send a message to the meeting moderator. If you are joining the meeting by phone, press *3 on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, your line will be unmuted, and you will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Additional information and instructions are available at the Commission's meetings webpage [ [link removed] ]. 

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Jessica Livingston <[email protected]>, 651-539-1068

 

Plum Creek BESS (IP-6997/ESS-26157) [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Westbrook, Cottonwood
*Process: *Alternative review
*End of comment period: *August 3, 2026

*Notice title: *Notice of Complete Site Permit Application and Public Information Meetings
*Notice description: *PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public information meetings on Plum Creek Storage, LLC’s (Applicant) proposed project for an up to 200-megawatt (MW)/800-megawatt hour (MWh) battery energy storage system in Ann Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota. The energy storage system will operate in conjunction with the previously permitted Plum Creek Wind Project. Associated facilities include an on-site transformer, parking lot, stormwater pond, access roads, and a buried 34.5-kilovolt (kV) cable that will interconnect the energy storage system to a previously-permitted Plum Creek Wind collector substation (Collector Substation 2). The project is located on approximately 35.9 acres of private land for which the Applicant has entered into a purchase agreement. The Commission accepted the Application as complete on June 23, 2026, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216I.

*Project description: *In the Matter of the Application of Plum Creek Storage, LLC for a Site Permit for the up to 200 MW Plum Creek Battery Energy Storage System Project in Cottonwood County, Minnesota.
Plum Creek BESS (IP-6997/ESS-26157) project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Westbrook Public Library, 556 1st Ave, Westbrook,
MN 56183

*First public meeting date, time, location: *July 21, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 849 5th Street, Westbrook, MN 56183
*First public meeting additional details:* Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the meeting to provide attendees an opportunity to review the application, 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. Commission staff will facilitate the meeting. The purpose of the meeting, as outlined in Chapter 216I, includes the following: 1. Provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process, and present major issues. Commission staff will begin the meeting by presenting information on the permitting and environmental review process. Applicants will provide an overview of the proposed project and the potential human and environmental impacts and mitigation measures to minimize impacts that are presented in the EA included in the application. 2. Accept public comments on the need for and scope of an addendum to the environmental assessment (EA) included in the application. 3. Describe the sample site permit for battery energy storage projects, and explain how the applicant will be required to construct and operate the project in accordance with all conditions of the permit, if issued. 4. Respond to questions raised by the public. At this time, any verbal comments you make will become a part of the record. 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 call 1-855-731-6208 or visit Commission's website [ [link removed] ].

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *July 21, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 849 5th Street, Westbrook, MN, 56183
*Second public meeting additional details:* Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the meeting to provide attendees an opportunity to review the application, 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. Commission staff will facilitate the meeting. The purpose of the meeting, as outlined in Chapter 216I, includes the following: 1. Provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process, and present major issues. Commission staff will begin the meeting by presenting information on the permitting and environmental review process. Applicants will provide an overview of the proposed project and the potential human and environmental impacts and mitigation measures to minimize impacts that are presented in the EA included in the application. 2. Accept public comments on the need for and scope of an addendum to the environmental assessment (EA) included in the application. 3. Describe the sample site permit for battery energy storage projects, and explain how the applicant will be required to construct and operate the project in accordance with all conditions of the permit, if issued. 4. Respond to questions raised by the public. At this time, any verbal comments you make will become a part of the record. 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 call 1-855-731-6208 or visit the Commission's website [ [link removed] ].

*Third public meeting date, time, location: *July 22, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Third public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Third public meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2499 104 7785
Webinar Password: Plum2026 (75862026 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2499 104 7785
The meeting ends when all present attendees have commented or at 8:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation. If you are joining the meeting via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the meeting, use the raised-hand function or the chat function to send a message to the meeting moderator. If you are joining the meeting by phone, press *3 on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, your line will be unmuted, and you will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Additional information and instructions are available at the Commission's meetings webpage [ [link removed] ]. 

*Fourth public meeting date, time, location: *July 22, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Fourth public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Fourth public meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2499 104 7785
Webinar Password: Plum2026 (75862026 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2499 104 7785
The meeting ends when all present attendees have commented or at 8:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation. If you are joining the meeting via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the meeting, use the raised-hand function or the chat function to send a message to the meeting moderator. If you are joining the meeting by phone, press *3 on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, your line will be unmuted, and you will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Additional information and instructions are available at the Commission's meetings webpage [ [link removed] ]. 

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Jacques Harvieux <[email protected]>, 651-201-2233

 

Sherco South and West Battery Energy Storage Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Becker, Sherburne
*Process: *Alternative review

*Notice title: *Notice of Final Permit Decision - Sherco South and West Battery Energy Storage System
*Notice description: *In the Matter of the Application of Northern States Power Company d/b/a Xcel Energy for a Site Permit for the up to 600 MW Sherco South and West Battery Energy Storage Project in Sherburne County, Minnesota; PUC Docket No. E-002/ESS-25-319. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in an order issued on June 11, 2026, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission: (1) Adopted the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law of the Commission’s Energy Infrastructure Permitting staff and (2) issued a site permit to Xcel Energy for the up to 600-Megawatt Sherco South and West Battery Energy Storage Project with the standard and special conditions identified in the attached site permit—including Special Conditions 5.4 (Tree Clearing) and 5.7 (Tree Replacement Plan).
Link to June 11, 2026, Order [ [link removed] ] 

*Project description:*Xcel Energy proposed to construct and operate a battery energy storage system (ESS) with a nominal power rating of up to 600 MW alternating current with approximately 2,400 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy capacity on a site consisting of approximately 62 acres adjacent to the Sherburne County Generating Station in the City of Becker, Sherburne County, Minnesota. Docket No. E-002/ESS-25-319:
Sherco South and West Battery Energy Storage Project project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East, Suite 350, Saint Paul, MN 55101

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Saarah Maxon <[email protected]>, 651-201-2200

 

General notices

Notices published in this section may be required under Minnesota Statute or Rule.

 

*Tischer Creek Fish Kill and Enforcement Report*

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has published the Tischer Creek Fish Kill and Enforcement Report [ [link removed] ].

Additional information on fish kills can be found on the MPCA’s fish kill webpage [ [link removed] ].

 

 

Fish kill reports

Minnesota Duty Officer reports pertaining to fish kills are summarized in the following table, in accordance with 103G.216, REPORTING FISH KILLS IN PUBLIC WATERS, Subd. 2 Reporting Requirement. These reports were received via the Minnesota Duty Officer prior to the submission deadline for this edition of the EQB Monitor. They represent the raw data/information provided by callers. For more information regarding fish kills in Minnesota see the Department of Natural Resources [ [link removed] ]. Call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 651‐649‐5451 or 800‐422‐0798 to report fish kills.

*Date*



*Location*



*County*



*Waterbody*



*Species*



*Count*



6/24/2026



Lake Park



Becker



Middle Cormorant Lake



Not specified,
Not specified



33



6/25/2026



Battle Lake



Otter Tail



Ethel Lake



Bluegill, Crappie



1000



 

Submit a notice to the "EQB" "Monitor"

The "EQB Monitor" is a weekly publication announcing environmental review documents, public comment periods and other actions of the Environmental Quality Board. The "EQB Monitor" is published every Tuesday at noon. Submissions to the "EQB Monitor [ [link removed] ]" are due by 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday one week prior to the intended publication date. Please see the EQB Monitor schedule [ [link removed] ] for more details.

 

To submit a notice for publication:

Access the EQB monitor submission service [ [link removed] ]

 

Questions? Contact EQB by phone at 651-757-2873 or email us at [email protected]. 

For more information on environmental review, please visit the EQB website or contact us at [email protected].


















Minnesota Environmental Quality Board

*Environmental Quality Board | eqb.state.mn.us [ [link removed] ] *

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