Photo by Deb Gau Members of the public take a closer look at maps with proposed routes for a new 345-kilovolt power line that would connect a substation near Becker with renewable energy sources in southwest Minnesota during a Xcel open house Monday in Marshall.

MARSHALL — Xcel Energy is planning to shut down a coal-fired power plant in Becker and switch to using renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. But making the switch means building a transmission line through southwest Minnesota.

On Monday, Xcel held an open house in Marshall to answer questions and gather public feedback about its proposed Minnesota Energy Connection project.

“We’re early in the process,” said Xcel spokesperson Randy Fordice. He said Xcel is gathering input from residents and landowners in the area that would be affected by the proposed transmission line project.

Xcel plans to retire the Sherco power plant in Becker and replace the electricity it produced with renewable energy, Fordice said. The Minnesota Energy Connection project would build a 345-kilovolt transmission line running from the Sherco substation to a new substation in Lyon County. Fordice said the transmission line would be roughly 160 to 180 miles long, with power poles “pretty similar” to those built for the CapX2020 transmission project that was completed in 2017.

On Monday evening, the conference center at the EverSpring Inn & Suites was filled with displays of maps with potential transmission line corridors running through Lyon County and nearby counties.

At this stage in the planning process, Xcel is studying about 20 different route options, Fordice said. Some of the possible routes being considered could run to the north, near Willmar and Montevideo, or go closer to Granite Falls or Redwood Falls.

All of the preliminary routes would end in Lyon County. A study area for a new substation covers much of the county south of Marshall.

After taking public comments, Xcel plans to refine the options and hold additional open houses later this spring.

Xcel is required to propose at least two possible routes for the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to consider when Xcel files for a route permit for the project. Fordice said Xcel plans to file a route permit application later this year. Construction could potentially begin in 2026.

If the PUC approves a route for the transmission project, Xcel would purchase easements on that property to build, operate and maintain the transmission lines. Current property owners would still own the land, Fordice said.

At Monday’s meeting, members of the public could look at maps of the proposed preliminary route corridors and substation study area, talk with Xcel representatives, and fill out comment forms. Lyon County residents Bennett and Janice Bot said it was helpful to learn more about the process that the project would be going through. Lyon County Commissioners Rick Anderson and Todd Draper were also present at the meeting to learn more about the project.

“We knew it was coming,” Anderson said of the transmission line proposal.

However, he said Xcel hasn’t approached the county board to talk about the project yet.

If the transmission line and new substation are built, it would have an impact on the county’s tax base, Anderson said.

Monday’s meeting was one of a series of open house events Xcel is holding this week. In addition to events in Marshall and Granite Falls on Monday and Tuesday, there will be an open house from 4-7 p.m. today in Willmar, and from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Redwood Area Community Center in Redwood Falls.

Virtual open-house events will be held online on March 6, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. A link to the online event will be posted on the project website at mnenergyconnection.com/community-engagement.