Randy Christmann, center, chair of the Public Service Commission, Sheri Haugen-Hoffart, left, and Julie Fedorchak, right. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
(Jeff Beach – North Dakota Monitor) – The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Wednesday approved a proposed power line over the objection of one commissioner who questioned the need for the project.
The $440 million, 85-mile transmission line from Jamestown to Ellendale would be paid for in part by customers of Otter Tail Power and Montana-Dakota Utilities.
“I haven’t heard the justification yet,” Commission Chair Randy Christman said before the 2-1 vote to approve the project.
He called concerns about yet-to-be-built power generation in the area needing more transmission capacity premature.
“My understanding here is these problems don’t really exist,” Christmann said.
Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, participating from Washington, D.C., as she prepares to start her term representing North Dakota in Congress, argued that there were some immediate benefits to the area in relieving power congestion.
Christmann said the Applied Digital data center at Ellendale, which is expanding, was already providing demand to help relieve the congestion, but that the company’s power needs were not being considered.
By approving the 345-kilovolt line, MDU customers will pay an additional $3.15 per month and Otter Tail customers about $5.75 per month.
“These are costs that rate payers are going to be paying for 40 years,” Christmann said.
Since it is part of a regional effort to improve power line capacity, utility customers in other states will also help pay for the project.
North Dakota will be expected to help pay for projects in other states, too, Christmann said after the meeting.
Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart voted for the project and said the cost allocations among the 14 states are not finalized.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
