Bison to Alexandria Second Circuit 345 kV Transmission Line Project
Project Details
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.
Project Contact
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
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Title
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Description
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|---|---|---|
01/29/2026
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Certificate of Need Application
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Docket Documents
View Project Documents (last 30) 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 |