Bison to Alexandria Second Circuit 345 kV Transmission Line Project

Project Details

Docket Numbers
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

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.

Interactive Map

Key Project Dates and Information

Key Project Documents

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

Docket Documents

View All Project Documents 

Date Document ID On Behalf Of Description
August 11, 2026 20268-235171-01 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 Reply Comments on Merits of Certificate of Need Application
July 28, 2026 20267-234681-01 PUC
July 23, 2026 20267-234564-01 PUC July 23, 2026 Consent
July 23, 2026 20267-234542-01 PUC Proposed July 23, 2026 Consent Items
July 20, 2026 20267-234427-01 Joint Commenters Cover Letter and Certificate of Service
July 20, 2026 20267-234427-02 Joint Commenters Initial Comments
July 20, 2026 20267-234424-01 DOC DER
July 20, 2026 20267-234408-01 Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.
July 20, 2026 20267-234376-01 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 Initial Comments on Certificate of Need Application
July 17, 2026 20267-234336-01 CAH First Prehearing Order
July 16, 2026 20267-234231-01 PUC EIP Staff Environmental Report Scoping Recommendations
July 10, 2026 20267-234027-01 CAH Order for Prehearing Conference
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