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Ryan Parsons and John Wade: Energy investment is an investment in our region's future. For Southeast Minnesota, two transmission line projects are about more than electricity. They are about economic competitiveness. By Ryan Parsons and John Wade August 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM Southeast Minnesota is growing, and that growth is not by accident. It is the result of careful planning, smart investments, and a shared commitment to build a strong future for our regional economy. As the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and Rochester Area Economic Development Inc. (RAEDI), our organizations focus on strengthening our businesses and regional economy, and we hear a common theme from businesses: certainty matters. Employers need confidence that the infrastructure supporting their operations can keep pace with growth and evolving needs. When our electrical grid is strong, it quietly powers our region forward. Keep Watching Preservation commission member resigns; another seeks veto in wake of Rochester council decision Preservation commission member resigns; another seeks veto in wake of Rochester council decision Every day, businesses, farms, and households across Southeast Minnesota depend on reliable electricity to power the routines and services that keep our region moving forward. It supports family farms through planting and harvest. It enables hospitals and clinics to provide around-the-clock care. It helps manufacturers operate efficiently and allows small businesses to open their doors each morning. Reliable electricity is more than a convenience, it is essential infrastructure that provides a competitive advantage for communities. It enables the construction and electrification of new homes, powers the services families rely on, and supports communities as they welcome new residents. Growing communities can attract and retain the skilled workers employers need, helping build a stronger and more diverse workforce. As businesses consider where to expand or relocate, they look closely at energy infrastructure, and much like roads, bridges and broadband, a modern electrical grid provides the foundation businesses need to expand, make long-term investments, and create jobs. That is why long-term planning for our electrical grid matters. Energy demand is evolving as our region grows, industries expand and new technologies emerge. From advanced manufacturing to new agricultural technologies and the continued electrification of homes and businesses, electricity use is changing rapidly. Planning for those needs today helps ensure our infrastructure can support both current use and future growth. That long-term planning is already underway to prepare the electrical grid for future growth. Dairyland Power Cooperative and Xcel Energy are jointly developing the Gopher to Badger Link, a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line connecting southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Great River Energy, ITC Midwest, Otter Tail Power Company, and Xcel Energy are jointly developing PowerOn Midwest, a coordinated effort to modernize and expand the Upper Midwest's transmission system through a new high-voltage backbone spanning southern Minnesota, eastern South Dakota, and western Wisconsin. Together, these projects are part of a larger effort to modernize the Upper Midwest's transmission system. These investments will strengthen reliability, improve access to new and renewable energy resources, increase capacity, and help ensure electricity can be delivered where it is needed most, preparing our region for future energy needs. For Southeast Minnesota, these projects are about more than electricity. They are about economic competitiveness. Businesses want assurance that the power they depend on today will be available for years to come. Communities that can demonstrate strong, forward looking infrastructure are better positioned to attract employers, support investment, and retain residents. Reliable electricity enables the construction and electrification of new homes, powers the services families depend on and helps communities welcome new residents. In a growing region, planning for energy needs is part of planning for economic growth. These projects can also provide long-term local tax revenue, helping communities invest in transportation, emergency services, roads and other public priorities while providing greater financial flexibility. Southeast Minnesota has built its reputation by planning ahead and investing in the infrastructure that supports long-term success. Reliable energy infrastructure belongs on that list. The choices we make today will shape the opportunities available tomorrow. By investing in a resilient electrical grid, we can give businesses the certainty they need to grow, attract new investment and ensure Southeast Minnesota remains a place where businesses can thrive and families can prosper. Ryan Parsons is president of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. John Wade is president of Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI). More stories for you. Conversation

Drive Clean Summit + Expo 2026 registration now open! Drive Clean Summit + Expo 2026, presented by Xcel Energy Thursday, October 22nd | 9:00am-4:00pm Empower Field at Mile High - West Club + Lot C Drive Clean Colorado is pleased to announce that registration for the annual Drive Clean Summit + Expo is now open! DCSE is a one-day, high-energy event that brings together fleets, municipalities, businesses, utilities, and clean transportation advocates to connect leaders and drive clean solutions. Join Drive Clean Colorado at the West's premier event, bringing together the people and organizations driving clean transportation in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain regions. A ticket to DCSE puts you in the room with hundreds of attendees for collaborative breakout sessions, informative panels, and unmatched networking within the clean transportation landscape. Prices increase September 1st - Head over to the DCSE webpage to register! https://drivecleancolorado.org/drive-clean-summit-and-expo/

Minnesota mandates flexible interconnection, VPP pilot for Xcel Energy. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has approved Xcel Energy's Integrated Distribution Plan, attaching mandates for flexible interconnection policies and a dedicated virtual power plant pilot program to expand distributed energy integration. Aug 12 2026 The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has accepted Xcel Energy's Integrated Distribution Plan (IDP), approving the utility's long-term distribution roadmap and future rate-case framework while attaching key compliance mandates focused on distributed energy resource (DER) integration, grid safety, and affordability. To accelerate DER deployment and address distribution constraints, the MPUC ordered Xcel Energy to submit two technical compliance filings by the end of 2026. The first requires updates on flexible interconnection policies designed to reduce grid bottlenecks, streamline queue management, and facilitate faster DER integration. The second requires Xcel to update its planned net load methodology to improve forecasting and better model the grid impacts and capacity contributions of distributed solar and energy storage systems. Improved DER integration is expected to enhance overall distribution efficiency and lower system-wide costs for ratepayers. Looking further ahead, the Commission directed Xcel Energy to file a dedicated virtual power plant (VPP) pilot program by March 1, 2027. The initiative will examine how aggregated customer-owned assets, including rooftop solar, residential storage, and flexible loads, can be coordinated to provide grid services and support overall reliability. Notably, the MPUC explicitly mandated that the VPP pilot include pathways and considerations for low-income customers, renters, and residents of multi-family buildings. The order also included several directives aimed at utility transparency, system resilience, and equity across Xcel's service territory. The Commission mandated technical workshops regarding the valuation of reliability in distribution proceedings, alongside a requirement for Xcel to draft and submit a comprehensive Wildfire Mitigation Plan. Additionally, Xcel Energy's technical standards will undergo an independent engineering audit, and the utility must participate in discussions to integrate environmental justice and equity considerations into its distribution planning and budgeting. Stakeholder reaction Erica McConnell, staff attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC), commented on the decision: "Xcel's IDP is a big step forward for Minnesota, reflecting the Commission's commitment to enhancing grid reliability and addressing growing distribution budgets and affordability concerns. We were especially pleased to see the Commission push the Company to improve its flexible interconnection plan and report back on its progress in the near term. We look forward to continuing to work with Xcel, the Commission, and other stakeholders on improving the integration of distributed resources into distribution planning, while also protecting affordability and promoting equity." Will Kenworthy, senior regulatory director for Vote Solar, noted the role of customer-sited hardware in supporting bulk power needs: "The Commission's decision proves that modern distribution planning can strengthen reliability while making the grid more affordable and accessible for everyone. We applaud the Commission for advancing a virtual power plant pilot that will explore how community-driven technologies like rooftop solar and home batteries can work together to support the electric grid. The pilot recognizes that when these customer-owned energy resources are coordinated, they can improve reliability, lower costs, and give Minnesotans more choices in how they participate in the clean energy future. We are committed to our ongoing collaboration with Xcel Energy, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, and stakeholders to ensure the distribution system evolves in ways that expand customer choice, lower costs, and support an equitable clean energy future." Pouya Najmaie, policy and regulatory director for Cooperative Energy Futures, pointed to the equity provisions built into the order: "Cooperative Energy Futures is pleased that the Commission order the Xcel Energy to develop a consumer-centric VPP pilot program. We are even more grateful that the Commission required considerations for low-income customers, renters and people living in multi-family buildings. Cooperative Energy Futures and its member-owners looks forward to participating in this groundbreaking pilot." This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with PV Magazine Group and would like to reuse some of its content, please contact: [email protected]. More about