North Dakota PSC approves Basin Electric 62-mile 345 kV transmission route permit

The North Dakota Public Service Commission on April 20 unanimously approved Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s application for a certificate of corridor compatibility and a route permit for a 62-mile, 345 kilovolt transmission line through Mercer, McLean, Ward, Mountrail and Williams counties.

The commission found that construction, operation and maintenance of the line will produce minimal adverse effects on the environment and on the welfare of North Dakotans, that the project is compatible with environmental preservation and efficient use of resources, and that it will help maintain system reliability. "I support this order because this project has tremendous economic benefits, not only to the state, but the citizens we serve," said Commissioner Kringstead, who moved adoption of the commission's findings, conclusions and order. The motion passed by a 3-0 vote.

Basin Electric’s consolidated application, filed Oct. 24, 2024, describes a project that would connect the Leland Old Station substation near Stanton to the existing Tandy substation near Tioga and complete a 345 kV transmission loop across northwest and north-central North Dakota. Key elements include a new substation called Crane Creek in Mountrail County to provide a delivery point for Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative; a substation terminal addition at Tandy; and a microwave tower about 4 miles west of Douglas in Ward County.

The application identified two double-circuit segments: about 40 miles in McLean County to be built with one 345 kV circuit and one 230 kV circuit, and about 11.5 miles in Mountrail County to be built with one 345 kV circuit and one 115 kV circuit. Basin proposed to own the 345 kV circuits throughout and to jointly own the roughly 11.5-mile double-circuit segment with Mountrail-Williams, with Mountrail-Williams owning the lower-voltage circuit. Basin estimated the project cost at $360,000,000, with construction expected to begin in spring and finish in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Commission staff said the commission held three public hearings in the case — two in Underwood and one in Stanley — and that Basin engaged multiple agencies during review, including nine federal agencies, 23 state agencies and 19 local entities. The record considered whether the project would produce minimal adverse environmental effects, be compatible with environmental preservation and efficient resource use, and minimize adverse human and environmental impacts while ensuring reliability and orderly energy service.

The commission identified two exclusion areas and two avoidance areas in its analysis. Exclusion areas included critical habitat for the piping plover at the Missouri River crossing; Basin committed to not placing structures within piping plover critical habitat and to span conductors above the habitat, and to follow U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey timing recommendations. Exclusion areas also included areas within 1,200 feet of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch facilities; the record shows Minot Air Force Base reviewed and approved the alignment and the commission earlier approved an exemption related to these facilities in November 2023.

Avoidance areas included previously unidentified archaeological sites inside the corridor; Basin said it would avoid those sites and provide reasonable buffers. The company also identified five residences within 500 feet of the proposed route and provided signed waivers from each resident. Basin committed to mitigation measures including a tree-and-shrub mitigation plan, an unanticipated-discovery plan and an avian- and bat-protection plan.

Commissioner Kringstead praised staff work on the short review timeline and said the approval demonstrates the commission can provide timely regulatory answers to investors. Commissioner Haugenhoffer added kudos to staff for rescheduling and reworking issues, and Commissioner Greenstead commended Basin for submitting a strong application and for its investments to meet reliability needs in western North Dakota.

The commission’s action was limited to the findings of fact, conclusions of law and order in case PUD-24-361; it approved Basin Electric’s certificate of corridor compatibility and route permit as presented. The commission did not direct additional action in the meeting record beyond the order and standard mitigation commitments.

The commission recessed after the vote and noted its next regular meeting is scheduled for May 8.