ND, SD boards favors Minn. power line construction

Big Stone power plant
Ottertail Power company plans to build a second coal fired power plant at it's Big Stone site.
MPR Photo/Dan Gunderson

Three top North Dakota officials say Minnesota regulators should approve new power lines in west-central Minnesota.

The power lines would carry electricity from the proposed Big Stone Two coal-fired power plant in South Dakota.

North Dakota's Industrial Commission -- which is made up of the governor, attorney general and agriculture commissioner -- says the power lines also would help North Dakota export wind power to Minnesota.

Big Stone from Ortonville
Big Stone viewed from Ortonville, Minn. Both S.D. and N.D. public utilities commissions favor allowing power lines to be built across west-central Minn., so a second power plant can be built on the site.
MPR Photo/Mark Steil

The commission is asking the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to approve the power lines when it meets tomorrow. Two administrative law judges are recommending that the Minnesota PUC deny the project.

South Dakota's Public Utilities Commission says the new power lines are also necessary for South Dakota's wind energy development. Commissioner Dusty Johnson plans to speak at tomorrow's Minnesota PUC hearing in St. Paul.