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Hugo Training Center (HTC) Site Narrative By centralizing our training operations and dedicating the entire HTC property to support training activities, our company can expand and improve an already industry-leading training facility. When completed, the site will provide capabilities to train not only Xcel Energy employees and contractors of varying utilities disciplines, but also staff from other utilities and municipality emergency services. HTC will host coordinated multi-organization emergency response exercises and other training that is necessary. It is important to note that while the company’s needs for a high-quality, centralized training facility are at the forefront, our long-term plans still include the possibility of locating a new service center in the northeast metro in the years ahead. We will continue to search for suitable sites for this purpose. Proposed Project 1 of 2: Transmission Lines and Substation Outdoor Training Facility In early-April 2021, the City of Hugo approved a Conditional Use Permit, a site plan amendment and a height variance for a non-energized outdoor transmission line only training facility. While this project was being reviewed by the City, Xcel Energy’s training department was going through a reorganization process to better align company training procedures and strategies. The project team determined the best option was to pause the approved transmission line only project to provide time for reassessing the master plan for the site. This pause, along with the evolution of the training department, allowed for a complete redesign of the approved transmission line project. The redesign increases the number of lines, relocates them to a more suitable location on the property, and includes a non-energized outdoor substation. This new design will greatly increase the training effectiveness of these facilities as it fully replicates real- world conditions with transmission lines, a substation, and the interactions between the two facilities. The design will consist of 4 different lines at 3 different voltages (1 @ 69kV, 2 @ 115kV, 1 @ 345kV) totally approximately 25 different pole type transmission line structures with a height range of approximately 43’ to 105’. The substation will be an approximately 1.65-acre class-5 gravel pad, enclosed by a 10’ chain link galvanized steel perimeter fence. This facility is designed to simulate a 345kv, 115kv, 69kv, 35kv and 15kv substations. From a training perspective, this is far superior to the previously submitted project design. Benefits for constructing the new facilities on the north half of the HTC site:  Offers a centralized training center with convenient access to the adjacent indoor training center building that offers classrooms, restrooms, and protection during inclement weather.  Connecting the Substation and Transmission Line outdoor yards together would create a “real life scenario” training yard that could provide more teaching opportunities about safety. If a smaller site was selected, the substation and transmission lines may need to be constructed separately (i.e. not connected) and perhaps on different sites. Any alternative site would likely not have the convenience of adjacent classrooms, restrooms, and storm shelters that the HTC site currently offers.  Wide open areas without obstacles allow for increased safety while maneuvering larger equipment around transmission line structures for training exercises.  Adequate space to host larger groups of both Xcel Energy and foreign utility (non-Xcel Energy) crews for training purposes. This larger yard could host a “lineman rodeo”, which is a competitive