Drew Janke, an environmental compliance specialist with Minnesota Power, told the Clay County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that the Maple River–Cuyuna (MRC) transmission project would be a roughly 160‑mile, 345‑kilovolt single‑circuit overhead line built on structures able to accommodate a second circuit.

"My name is Drew Janke. I'm an environmental compliance specialist with Minnesota Power here today to talk the Maple River to Cuyuna or MRC transmission line project," Janke said, describing the project as a joint proposal among Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company and Great River Energy.

Janke said the project, approved by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) in tranche 2.1 in December 2024, is intended to increase regional transfer capacity and reliability and to support resiliency during extreme weather events. He said the line will initially operate as a single circuit but will be built on double‑circuit‑capable structures; both sets of conductors will be strung, with the second circuit to be energized later.

The presenter noted two rounds of public open houses occurred this year — in June and October — and that Minnesota Power plans a third round in March or April next year. Janke added the company expects to file a certificate of need application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission by early February and a route permit around August, and that the North Dakota permitting process is similar across the border.

Technical details raised in the presentation included a typical 150‑foot permanent right‑of‑way for standalone 345 kV construction, preferred steel monopoles of about 120–180 feet depending on topography, occasional lattice towers where soil conditions require them, and an anticipated construction start in 2029 with in‑service target of 2033 if permitting and landowner agreements proceed.

Commissioners asked for clarification about the project’s mapping, size of the study swath and how landowners will be notified. Janke said Minnesota Power set a 1.5‑mile buffer off existing lines when notifying the public to keep routing options open and that an interactive project web map is available. He also acknowledged that in northern Clay County, fewer existing transmission corridors mean some greenfield routing will be necessary.

The board did not take formal action on the project; the presentation provided an update on timing, route development and upcoming permitting steps and invited more public comment during the state permitting processes.