Milestones
3/9
completed
Statutory Deadline
1410 days
January 12, 2030
Subd. 6(c): 4-year EIS deadline
Days in Review
93
since CPP request
Timeline Extensions
0%
0 modified milestones
Project Description
Replacement of 34 miles of aging 24-inch natural gas transmission pipeline with new 30-inch pipeline along an existing utility corridor. Includes two new compressor stations and six river/stream crossings. Critical for winter heating reliability for Duluth metropolitan area.
Applicant
Northern States Power (Xcel Energy)
Estimated Cost
$340,000,000
CPP Requested
December 1, 2025
CPP Prepared
January 28, 2026
County
Carlton / St. Louis
Requires EIS
Yes
Permitting Timetable
Today
EAW Submitted
Dec 25
EAW Deemed Complete
Jan 26
CPP Prepared
Jan 26
EIS Need Decision
Jun 26
Draft Scoping Decision
Sep 26
Final Scoping Decision
Nov 26
Draft EIS Published
Jun 27
Final EIS Published
Dec 27
EIS Adequacy Decision
Mar 28
Complete
On Track
At Risk
Overdue
Upcoming
Participating Agencies(Subd. 5(a)(1))
DNRDepartment of Natural Resources
Lead agency for environmental review; water appropriation, mining permits
MPCAMinnesota Pollution Control Agency
Lead agency for environmental review and air/water permitting
PUCPublic Utilities Commission
Utility interconnection and rate impact review
MnDOTMinnesota Department of Transportation
Transportation access and road impact analysis
BWSRBoard of Water and Soil Resources
Wetland conservation and soil management
Public Meetings(Subd. 5(a)(2))
InformationalMarch 15, 2026
Carlton County Courthouse
Project overview and early communication session (Subd. 3)
InformationalApril 2, 2026
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
Project overview and early communication session
Statutory Notifications
Early communication sessions scheduledTriggered
Two public informational meetings scheduled for March-April per Subd. 3 early communication requirements.
Mar 1, 2026Subd. 3
EIS need decision approachingPending
Decision on need for EIS due by June 1, 2026. On track.
May 15, 2026Subd. 6(b)
Documents
Environmental Assessment Worksheet
DNR · Dec 1, 2025
Coordinated Project Plan
DNR · Jan 28, 2026
Pipeline Route Alternatives Analysis
DNR · Jan 15, 2026
Stream Crossing Assessment
BWSR · Feb 20, 2026
Permitting Milestones
EAW SubmittedComplete
DNR · Completed Dec 1, 2025
EAW Deemed CompleteComplete
DNR · Completed Jan 12, 2026
CPP PreparedComplete
DNR · Completed Jan 28, 2026
EIS Need DecisionOn Track
DNR · Target: Jun 1, 2026
Draft Scoping DecisionUpcoming
DNR · Target: Sep 1, 2026
Final Scoping DecisionUpcoming
DNR · Target: Nov 15, 2026
Draft EIS PublishedUpcoming
DNR · Target: Jun 1, 2027
Final EIS PublishedUpcoming
DNR · Target: Dec 1, 2027
EIS Adequacy DecisionUpcoming
EQB · Target: Mar 1, 2028
Quarterly Updates(Subd. 5(b))
Q4 2025December 31, 2025
EAW submitted and under review. CPP preparation initiated with 5 participating agencies.
Q1 2026March 31, 2026
CPP prepared and distributed. EAW review on track. Early communication sessions scheduled.