(North Dakota Monitor) – The Public Service Commission will hold two public hearings in September on a proposed power line project covering more than 240 miles across six counties in southwest North Dakota.
The North Plains Connector plans to go through Golden Valley, Slope, Hettinger, Oliver, Morton and Grant counties in North Dakota.
The full line would run about 422 miles from near Colstrip, Montana, to two separate end points in North Dakota – one near Center and one near St. Anthony.
The project is estimated to cost $6 billion with the North Dakota portion at $3.2 billion.
Grid United and Minnesota-based Allete are the joint developers of the project. Other utilities that would use the power line include Montana-Dakota Utilities and Minnkota Power Cooperative.
The power line requires approval from the Public Service Commission.
The public hearings are:
- 8:30 a.m. Sept. 2 at Mandan City Hall, focused on Oliver, Morton and Grant counties.
- 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time Sept. 3 at the Enchanted Castle in Regent, focused on Golden Valley, Slope and Hettinger counties.
Members of the public must testify in person for comments to be included in the PSC record.
A technical hearing going over details of the project will also be held at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 1. in the state Capitol. No public comment is expected to be taken at this hearing.
Hearings are livestreamed on the PSC website, www.psc.nd.gov.
Major construction on the project is expected to begin in 2028, and the line is expected to be operational in 2032, according to the project’s website. About 800 workers will be needed at the peak of construction.
The project includes 168 miles of high-voltage direct current line and about 74 miles of 345 kilovolt transmission lines. Electricity could flow in either direction on the lines.
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