Big Stone South to Alexandria 345 kV Transmission Line Project
Project Details
The Applicants propose to construct over 90 miles of new transmission line from Big Stone South, South Dakota to Alexandria, Minnesota along portions of Big Stone, Swift, Stevens, Pope, and Douglas Counties. New transmission lines will be required to connect the existing substations in Big Stone South and Alexandria. Both of the existing substations would also require minor expansions. A new fiber optic Regeneration Station would also be needed within the central segment of the project on 0.23 acres of land.
Project Contact
Project Summary
The Applicants propose to construct over 90 miles of new transmission line from Big Stone South, South Dakota to Alexandria, Minnesota along portions of Big Stone, Swift, Stevens, Pope, and Douglas Counties. The project is needed to provide additional transmission capacity, mitigate current capacity issues, and improve electric system reliability.
The Big Stone South to Alexandria project is the West segment of the larger Big Stone South – Alexandria – Big Oaks 345 kV transmission line project which has obtained a certificate of need (CN-22-538) as a whole. This project comprises the West segment from Big Stone South to Alexandria which filed for a separate route permit application than the East Alexandria to Big Oaks segment, which has already recieved a route permit.
Interactive Map
Key Project Documents
| Date | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2025 | Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Decision Document | The Scoping Decision Document outlines what topics will be covered in the Environmental Impact Statement for the project. |
| February 27, 2025 | Project Schedule | Attached is the prehearing order issued by the Administrative Law Judge assigned to the Big Stone South to Alexandria 345 kV Transmission project. This document contains the milestones associated with the project's schedule in the route permitting and environmental review process. |
| October 22, 2024 | Route Permit Application | On October 22, 2024, the applicants filed a route permit application for the Big Stone South to Alexandria 345-kV Transmission Project with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. |
| September 29, 2023 | Certificate of Need Application | On September 29, 2023, the applicants filed a certificate of need application for the entire project (Big Stone South to Alexandria to Big Oaks) with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. |
Environmental Review and Permitting Process
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Commerce will determine Minnesota Power's route permit application completeness, facilitate public meetings to gather input, and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. Construction cannot begin until an approved route permit is granted by the Commission.