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Hugo Training Center (HTC) Site Narrative In 2012, the Xcel Energy Hugo Training Center building was designed, permitted, and constructed. The original plans for the site included several future training facility expansions and space to locate a future service center on the north half of the property. A 2017 project added a Gas Village training area west of the HTC building. In 2021, Xcel Energy sought to add outdoor non-energized transmission training lines along the western boundary of the property to address a need for improved linesman training facilities. A project was presented to and approved by the City of Hugo, but it was not constructed.After a thorough review of its training needs,company officials responsible for multiple areas of staff training wished to execute a more complete vision for the site. Staff were directed to create a full site plan. With this filing, Xcel Energy is proposing to construct multiple training operations at the HTC. The company's vision would have the site become the host for most of the company's staff training of gas, electrical and nuclear operators in their northern territories. The proposed site facilities and co-location of training staff will create operating efficiencies and provide new opportunities for training collaboration with other utilities' staff and first responders from throughout the region. Site History - 2012 Original Site Plan and Conditional Use Permit o Training Center was approved by City of Hugo in early 2012 which included three phases of a site plan for an approximate 50,000 square foot building and outdoor training facilities: ■ Main building—classroom, labs, offices, conference room, etc. ■ Indoor"electric barn" ■ Indoor transmission training ■ Outdoor training field: electric distribution pole array o Outdoor training field: gas Future Service Center:to be constructed on north parcel - 2017 Revised Site Plan and Conditional Use Permit Amendment o Gas Village Training Facility: constructed on west side of property o Site plan included identifying a future building expansion of approximately 12,000 square feet for substation training. - 2021 Revised Site Plan, and Conditional Use Permit Amendment and Height Variance Exemption o Approved by City of Hugo in Spring 2021, with 72-ft maximum structure height. o Transmission Line Training Facility—outdoor and non-energized o Project was put on hold by Xcel Energy in Summer/Fall 2021, in favor of a combined Substation and Transmission Line Training Facility—outdoor and non-energized. Site Plans- Present and Future Since this site was first planned, designed and constructed 10 years ago, the Xcel Energy training department and its needs have evolved. Safety is a core value at Xcel Energy, and the development of high-quality training facilities for our employees has been prioritized.