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[email protected] September 27, 2013 VIA E-FILING Dr. Burl W. Haar Executive Secretary Minnesota Public Utilities Commission 121 7th Place East, Suite 350 St. Paul, MN 55101-2147 Re: In the Matter of the Petition of Minnesota Power for Approval of Investments and Expenditures in the Bison 4 Wind Project for Recovery through Minnesota Power’s Renewable Resources Rider under Minn. Stat. § 216B.1645 Docket No. E015/M-13____ Dear Dr. Haar: Minnesota Power is pleased to present this Petition to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) for approval to construct a cost effective, high quality wind energy resource for its customers, as part of its Renewable Energy Plan, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 216B.1645. Minnesota Power is seeking Commission approval of this Petition for the investments and expenditures related to the development of the Bison 4 Wind Project. Several key developments have occurred since Minnesota Power added its most recent major wind resource. Most importantly, in January 2013 Congress extended the production tax credit (“PTC”) with a requirement that construction begin prior to January 1, 2014. As a result of the PTC extension, the Company initiated the process of securing up to 200 MW of competitive wind to be installed in the next two to three years. Most recently, Minnesota Power’s 2013 Integrated Resource Plan (“2013 Plan”) was approved by the Commission in a motion on September 25, 2013. The 2013 Plan identified the Company’s intent to secure additional wind resources as part of its short-term action plan.