Appleton to Benson 115 kV Transmission Line Project
Project Details
Project Name
Appleton to Benson 115 kV Transmission Line Project
Applicant
Great River Energy, Otter Tail Power Company, Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Agralite Electric Cooperative, and the city of Benson
Location
Swift County
Description
The applicants propose to upgrade and construct approximately 29 miles of 115 kV transmission line in Swift County, Minnesota.
Status
active
Project Contact
Project Summary
The applicants propose to upgrade and construct approximately 29 miles of 115 kV transmission line in Swift County, Minnesota.
The proposed project includes:
- Upgrading approximately 18.3 miles of existing 41.6 kV transmission line.
- Rebuilding or reconductoring approximately one mile of an existing 115-kV transmission line.
- Constructing approximately 8.0 miles of new 115 kV transmission line.
- Constructing an approximately 1.7-mile 115 kV transmission line from Great River Energy’s existing AG-BK 115-kV line to the Benson Municipal Substation.
In addition, the project includes constructing a new Appleton Substation and either relocating or expanding the Moyer and Danvers Substations. Improvements will also be made at the Shible Lake and Benson Municipal Substations to accommodate the new 115 kV transmission line.
Construction of the project is anticipated to begin in 2028. The project is anticipated to be in service in early 2030.
Interactive Map
Key Project Documents
| Date | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 12/27/2024 | Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application for the Appleton to Benson Transmission Line Project | Great River Energy, Otter Tail Power Company (Otter Tail Power), Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (Western Minnesota) through its agent Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), Agralite Electric Cooperative (Agralite), and the City of Benson (together, the Applicants) submit this joint application for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit (Application) to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission or MPUC) to construct approximately 29 miles of new 115-kilovolt (kV) high voltage transmission line (HVTL) from the City of Appleton to the City of Benson in Swift County, Minnesota, referred to as the Appleton to Benson Transmission Line Project (Project). |
| 08/11/2025 | Final Environmental Assessment | Appleton to Benson Final Environmental Assessment |
| 08/11/2025 | Appendix A- Figures | Appendix A- Figures |
| 08/11/2025 | Appendix B- Scoping Decision | Appendix B- Scoping Decision |
| 08/11/2025 | Appendix C- Draft Appleton to Benson Route Permit | Draft Appleton to Benson Route Permit |
| 08/11/2025 | Appendix D-Energy Conservation and Efficiency | Appendix D-Applicants' Energy Conservation and Efficiency Program Information |
| 08/11/2025 | Appendix E- Vegetation Management Plan | Appendix E- Vegetation Management Plan |
| 08/11/2025 | Appendix F Photolog | Appendix F Photolog |
Docket Documents
View Project Documents (last 30) View All Project Documents
| Date | Document ID | On Behalf Of | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 20259-223398-01 | DOC DER | |
| September 30, 2025 | 20259-223416-01 | Minnesota Interagency Vegetation Management Planning Working Group | VMPWG Hearing Comments |
| September 23, 2025 | 20259-223237-01 | PUC | Newspaper Notice |
| September 23, 2025 | 20259-223230-01 | PUC | EQB Monitor Notice of Meetings/Hearings |
| September 23, 2025 | 20259-223233-01 | PUC | Newspaper Notice |
| September 12, 2025 | 20259-222942-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY, OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY, WESTERN MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY, AGRALITE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, AND THE CITY OF BENSON | 2025-09-12 Appleton to Benson_Filing LTR with EA Comments |
| September 11, 2025 | 20259-222913-01 | PUC | US Fish and Wildlife Service |
| September 4, 2025 | 20259-223167-01 | Shaddix & Associates - Stenographic Court Reporters | Virtual Public Hearing held on 9-4-25 |
| September 4, 2025 | 20259-222718-01 | PUC | Meeting Presentation |
| September 3, 2025 | 20259-223177-01 | Shaddix & Associates - Stenographic Court Reporters | Sign-in Sheet for the public hearing in Benson on 9-3-25 |
| September 3, 2025 | 20259-222806-02 | Shaddix & Associates - Stenographic Court Reporters | Benson Public Hearing on 9-3-25 |
| September 3, 2025 | 20259-222806-01 | Shaddix & Associates - Stenographic Court Reporters | Appleton Public Hearing on 9-3-25 |
| August 27, 2025 | 20258-222468-01 | PUC | AMENDED NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |
| August 25, 2025 | 20258-222489-01 | Shaddix & Associates - Stenographic Court Reporters | Prehearing held on 8-25-25 |
| August 25, 2025 | 20258-222393-01 | CAH | Second Prehearing Order |
| August 15, 2025 | 20258-222134-01 | OAH | Second Order for Prehearing Conference (with updated CAH name/logos) |
| August 15, 2025 | 20258-222132-01 | OAH | Second Order for Prehearing Conference |
| August 14, 2025 | 20258-222107-04 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY, OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY, WESTERN MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY, AGRALITE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, AND THE CITY OF BENSON | Appleton to Benson_Direct Testimony of G. Vinson |
| August 14, 2025 | 20258-222107-03 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY, OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY, WESTERN MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY, AGRALITE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, AND THE CITY OF BENSON | Appleton to Benson_Direct Testimony of N. Goater |
| August 14, 2025 | 20258-222107-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY, OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY, WESTERN MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY, AGRALITE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, AND THE CITY OF BENSON | Appleton to Benson_Filing Letter Direct Testimony |
| August 14, 2025 | 20258-222107-02 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY, OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY, WESTERN MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY, AGRALITE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, AND THE CITY OF BENSON | Appleton to Benson_Direct Testimony of M. Strohfus |
| August 14, 2025 | 20258-222107-05 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY, OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY, WESTERN MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY, AGRALITE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, AND THE CITY OF BENSON | Appleton to Benson_Direct Testimony of B. Zavesky |
| August 8, 2025 | 20258-221888-01 | PUC | NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |
| August 1, 2025 | 20257-221599-03 | PUC EIP | EA Appendix B- Scoping Decision |
| August 1, 2025 | 20257-221599-01 | PUC EIP | Appleton to Benson 115 kV HVTL Environmental Assessment |
| August 1, 2025 | 20257-221599-06 | PUC EIP | EA Appendix E- Draft Vegetation Management Plan |
| August 1, 2025 | 20257-221599-05 | PUC EIP | EA Appendix D- Applicants' Energy Conservation and Efficiency Program Information |
| August 1, 2025 | 20257-221599-07 | PUC EIP | EA Appendix F- Site Photos |
| August 1, 2025 | 20257-221599-04 | PUC EIP | EA Appendix C- Draft Route Permit |
| August 1, 2025 | 20257-221599-02 | PUC EIP | EA Appendix A- Figures |