PSC approves Basin Electric’s Bison combined‑cycle plant for Williams County

The North Dakota Public Service Commission voted Aug. 7 to grant a certificate of site compatibility to Basin Electric Power Cooperative for the proposed Bison Generation Station in Williams County. The project is sited on about 240 acres one mile south of Highway 2 between Epping and Wheelock and would consist of two natural‑gas combined‑cycle generating units with expected capacity of up to 745 megawatts per unit (about 1,490 MW total). Basin Electric told the commission the first unit is planned for construction by October 2028 with commercial operation in February or March 2029; the second unit’s planned construction is November 2029 with commercial operation in March 2030. Basin Electric estimated total project cost at roughly $3.68 billion. Commission staff and the applicant said Basin Electric conducted field surveys for wetlands, grasslands and protected habitat, consulted 35 federal, state and local agencies listed in North Dakota Administrative Code section 69‑06‑01‑05 and the Williams County Commission, submitted cultural and noise studies that SHPO accepted and proposed mitigation steps including stormwater and spill plans. Commissioners said the application was thorough and noted the relatively quick turnaround from filing in March to approval in August. The commission found the project will produce minimal adverse environmental effects if mitigation measures are implemented, is compatible with environmental preservation and efficient use of resources, and will help meet reliability and energy needs. Commissioners also said the project will be among the largest single plants in the state and described it as the first baseload combined‑cycle plant sited in decades. The commission voted to approve the certificate; no dissent was recorded.