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Minnesota Power updates Crow Wing County on 180-mile Northland Reliability Project, anticipates local work in 2026
Summary
Minnesota Power officials told the Crow Wing County Board the Northland Reliability Project (NRP) will use existing corridors where possible, include a new series compensation station near Riverton, and could start local construction and tree clearing in 2026 with an in-service target around 2030.
Minnesota Power representatives gave the Crow Wing County Board an update on the Northland Reliability Project, a roughly 180-mile transmission line that will stretch from the Grand Rapids area to the Big Oak substation near Becker. Zach Wolkowski, a senior environmental compliance specialist with Minnesota Power, said the Public Utilities Commission has approved a route and that engineers have increased co-location of lines from 85% to about 90% to reduce new right-of-way needs.
"Northland Reliability Project is a 180 mile line stretching from Grand Rapids area at the Iron Range Substation, to the Big Oak Substation near Becker," Wolkowski said, describing plans for a new series compensation station near Riverton and consolidation of existing circuits to limit new corridor width. He told the board the project will consolidate existing 230 kV and 115 kV lines onto shared structures in places and that, where stacking is not feasible, some structures will be taller—roughly 140–180 feet—still below the FAA 200-foot threshold.
Board members pressed Minnesota Power on timeline, property impacts and easement compensation. Mike Putney, in real estate services for Minnesota Power, said the utility has engaged landowners since late 2023, offered compensation for easements on tax-forfeit and county lands that factors timber value and other considerations, and will work with counties on pricing. "We will be paying you guys. You guys will basically be determining the price," Putney said.
Officials said construction on southern segments could begin in October (clearing and early work) with local tree clearing and field surveys in 2026 and major local construction in 2026–2027; in-service across the full route is projected near 2030. Wolkowski said state and federal permits remain to be secured, and that Minnesota Power is coordinating with the DNR on crossings and the FAA on structure height. The presentation emphasized that the project is intended to strengthen the regional grid as the state retires coal-fired generation and integrates more distant wind and solar resources.
The board did not take an action on the presentation; commissioners were directed to relay constituent questions to Minnesota Power and to the project's public materials and hotline for landowners and residents seeking more information.
