Bison to Alexandria Second Circuit 345 kV Transmission Line Project

Project Details

Docket Numbers
Transmission Line project25-116
Related Docket Number
Transmission Line project09-1056
Project Name
Bison to Alexandria Second Circuit 345 kV Transmission Line Project
Applicant
Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, Missouri River Energy Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency
Location
Douglas County
Description

Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, along with Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Missouri River Energy Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency propose to construct a new 345 kV transmission circuit on mostly existing transmission line structures from the existing Bison Substation near Fargo, North Dakota to the existing Alexandria Substation in Alexandria, Minnesota. The existing 345 kV structures were previously permitted and constructed as double-circuit capable as part of the Fargo – St. Cloud 345 kV Transmission Project.

Status
active

Project Contact

Contact
Jenna Ness
Phone
651-539-1061

Project Summary

The project consists of adding a second circuit to existing transmission infrastructure, as well as the installation of an estimated 107 new monopoles (86 structures within Minnesota) along the existing transmission corridor to address alignment changes (such as directional turns) and certain highway crossings. Within Minnesota, the project extends from the Minnesota - North Dakota border in Holy Cross Township in Clay County, through Clay, Wilkin, Otter Tail, Grant, and Douglas counties, and terminates at Alexandria Substation in Alexandria, Minnesota. The Project also includes modifications to the existing Bison Substation in North Dakota and the existing Alexandria Substation in Minnesota.

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Key Project Dates and Information

Key Project Documents

Date
Title
Description
01/29/2026
Certificate of Need Application

Docket Documents

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Date Document ID On Behalf Of Description
June 26, 2026 20266-233362-01 MnDOT
June 26, 2026 20266-233362-01 MnDOT
June 23, 2026 20266-233199-01 PUC NOTICE OF COMMENT PERIOD ON THE MERITS OF THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED APPLICATION
June 18, 2026 20266-233063-04 PUC Transcript, Virtual Public Information and Scoping Meeting, June 4, 2026
June 18, 2026 20266-233063-03 PUC Transcript, Alexandria Public Information and Scoping Meeting, June 4, 2026
June 18, 2026 20266-233063-02 PUC Transcript, Fergus Falls Public Information and Scoping Meeting, June 3, 2026
June 18, 2026 20266-233063-01 PUC Transcript, Barnesville Public Information and Scoping Meeting, June 3, 2026
June 18, 2026 20266-233063-01 PUC Transcript, Barnesville Public Information and Scoping Meeting, June 3, 2026
June 18, 2026 20266-233063-04 PUC Transcript, Virtual Public Information and Scoping Meeting, June 4, 2026
June 18, 2026 20266-233063-03 PUC Transcript, Alexandria Public Information and Scoping Meeting, June 4, 2026
June 18, 2026 20266-233063-02 PUC Transcript, Fergus Falls Public Information and Scoping Meeting, June 3, 2026
June 11, 2026 20266-232804-01 Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Missouri River Energy Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Affidavits of Publication for Public Information and Scoping Meetings
June 11, 2026 20266-232804-01 Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Missouri River Energy Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Affidavits of Publication for Public Information and Scoping Meetings
June 5, 2026 20266-232569-01 PUC Meeting Presentation
June 5, 2026 20266-232569-01 PUC Meeting Presentation
May 21, 2026 20265-232105-01 PUC EQB Monitor
May 21, 2026 20265-232105-01 PUC EQB Monitor
May 18, 2026 20265-231904-01 PUC NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT SCOPING MEETINGS
May 18, 2026 20265-231904-01 PUC NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT SCOPING MEETINGS
April 27, 2026 20264-231002-01 Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Missouri River Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Affidavit of Mailing for Paper Copies of Application
April 17, 2026 20264-230580-01 Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Missouri River Energy Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Route Permit Amendment Application
April 17, 2026 20264-230580-05 Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Missouri River Energy Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Appendices C-I
April 17, 2026 20264-230580-04 Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Missouri River Energy Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Appendix B
April 17, 2026 20264-230580-02 Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Missouri River Energy Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Route Permit Amendment Application Filing Letter, COS, and Service List
April 17, 2026 20264-230580-03 Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Missouri River Energy Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Appendix A
March 25, 2026 20263-229622-01 PUC October 30, 2025 Minutes
March 23, 2026 20263-229567-01 Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Missouri River Energy Services on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Ninth Status Update to the Commission
March 3, 2026 20263-228857-01 PUC
February 27, 2026 20262-228761-01 PUC Consent
February 26, 2026 20262-228688-01 PUC Proposed Consent Items