PSC Rejects Challenge to Power Line Decision But Route Still Needs Approval

North Dakota Public Service Commissioners Randy Christmann. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota utility regulators denied a request to reconsider a vote on a controversial power line but explained that opponents still have time to weigh in before a final decision is made.

The Public Service Commission in November approved a certificate of need for a large power line between Jamestown and Ellendale, known as the JETx project. However, the project still needs a route permit from the agency.

A permit application for the approximately 95-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line has not yet been submitted. Otter Tail Power and Montana-Dakota Utilities are partnering on the project.

A petition to reconsider the November vote was filed in May, outside the time frame specified in state law for such an appeal.

Commission Chair Randy Christmann voted against the project in November but joined the other two commissioners in voting to reject the petition Wednesday.

“Although it was not the decision I wanted, the commission made a decision, and now we need to stick by it,” Christmann said.