Public Service Commissions approves permits for two transmission lines in northwest North Dakota - KFYR
Public Service Commission approves permits for two transmission lines in northwest North Dakota
BISMARCK, N.D. (KUMV) - North Dakota’s Public Service Commission approved two permits for new transmission lines across northwestern North Dakota.
In unanimous votes, commissioners supported a nearly 15-mile line that would run from Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Pioneer Generation Station to Judson Township in Williams County, as well as a nearly 32-mile line from the Kummer Ridge substation near Johnson’s Corner in McKenzie County down to the Roundup substation north of Killdeer.
Commissioners say the lines will help supply more energy to the region and alleviate some congestion on existing lines.
“It’s a pretty straightforward project and necessary for Basin to get that power plant’s output to the customers that need it,” said Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, discussing the Williams County line.
“With the previous one and now with this one, that’s over $105 million in costs to improve the transmission up there to alleviate that congestion up there,” said Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart about the McKenzie-Dunn line.
Before construction can begin on the Williams County line, commissioners noted Basin Electric will need further approval from the State Historic Preservation Office to make sure no historic sites are affected by a permitting change.
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