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South Dakota Transmission

Lower Brule-to-Witten

Basin Electric's new transmission line from Lower Brule substation to the Witten substation.

Basin Electric is moving forward with plans to build a new high-voltage transmission line in south central South Dakota. The 70-mile Lower Brule-to-Witten line will run from a new substation near Big Bend Dam to the existing Witten Switching Station near Witten, SD. Basin Electric’s board approved a $43-million budget in 2010.

The project includes a single-circuit 230-kilovolt line, a substation addition at Witten, and associated communications facilities. The Western Area Power Administration will construct the new Lower Brule substation near Big Bend Dam and two miles of double-circuit 230-kilovolt line between the dam and substation.

Basin Electric must file for permits and approvals with the state and federal government, including a route permit from the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and an Environmental Assessment lead by the Rural Utilities Service.

Construction on the Lower Brule-to-Witten line is slated to begin in the spring of 2013; it will be placed into service the same year.
The new Lower Brule-to-Witten line will help serve member load and enhance reliability and stability of the transmission system in the region. The line will be part of the Integrated System, a transmission system jointly developed by Basin Electric, Western and Heartland Consumers Power District.

Project Facts