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 |
|---|---|---|
| August 11, 2025 | Appendix D-Energy Conservation and Efficiency | Appendix D-Applicants' Energy Conservation and Efficiency Program Information |
| August 11, 2025 | Appendix B- Scoping Decision | Appendix B- Scoping Decision |
| August 11, 2025 | Final Environmental Assessment | Appleton to Benson Final Environmental Assessment |
| August 11, 2025 | Appendix E- Vegetation Management Plan | Appendix E- Vegetation Management Plan |
| August 11, 2025 | Appendix C- Draft Appleton to Benson Route Permit | Draft Appleton to Benson Route Permit |
| August 11, 2025 | Appendix A- Figures | Appendix A- Figures |
| August 11, 2025 | Appendix F Photolog | Appendix F Photolog |
| December 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). |
Docket Documents
View Project Documents (last 30) View All Project Documents
| Date | Title | On Behalf Of | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| July 9, 2025 | 20257-220799-01 | PUC | Notice of Legislative Changes |
| May 13, 2025 | 20255-218878-01 | DOC EERA | Notice of Scoping Decision |
| May 9, 2025 | 20255-218876-01 | DOC EERA | Environmental Assessment Scoping Decision |
| April 29, 2025 | 20254-218257-01 | PUC | |
| April 24, 2025 | 20254-218123-01 | PUC | Consent |
| April 24, 2025 | 20254-218069-01 | PUC | Proposed Consent Items |
| April 17, 2025 | 20254-217816-01 | OAH | First Prehearing Order |
| April 15, 2025 | 20254-217691-01 | DOC EERA | Scoping Summary and Recommendation |
| April 11, 2025 | 20254-217555-01 | DOC EERA | Written Comments on the Environmental Assessment Scoping |
| April 8, 2025 | 20254-217380-01 | GREAT RIVER ENERGY, OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY, WESTERN MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY, AGRALITE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, AND THE CITY OF BENSON | |
| April 8, 2025 | 20254-217378-01 | DOC EERA | Oral Public Meeting Comments on the Environmental Assessment Scoping |
| March 31, 2025 | 20253-217030-01 | OAH | Order for Prehearing Conference |
| March 27, 2025 | 20253-216894-01 | MnDOT | |
| March 20, 2025 | 20253-216653-01 | PUC | Authorization to Initiate Consultation under Minn. Stat. § 138.665. |
| March 19, 2025 | 20253-216609-01 | PUC | Meeting Presentation |