North Dakota PSC hears testimony from Basin Electric

The North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) recently held two public meetings on Basin Electric’s corridor compatibility and route permit applications for the Tande-and Wheelock-to-Saskatchewan 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line project. 

The project includes two new transmission circuits:

• The Wheelock-to-Saskatchewan circuit - approximately 53 miles long, connecting Basin Electric’s existing Wheelock substation, located near Ray, North Dakota, to the United States/Canadian border, near Crosby, North Dakota.
• The Tande-to-Saskatchewan circuit - approximately 58 miles long, connecting Basin Electric’s existing Tande substation, located near Tioga, North Dakota, to the United States/Canadian border, near Crosby, North Dakota.  

The project was approved by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) in 2022 as part of the Aggregate Transmission Service Study. Basin Electric is the designated transmission owner for the upgrade in the United States, and Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) will complete the circuit within Canada. 

Public Hearings 

The North Dakota PSC scheduled two public hearings due to the length of the transmission line and the route, which crosses four North Dakota counties—Divide, Williams, Mountrail, and Burke. Public hearings examine the construction, operation, and maintenance of new transmission lines to ensure the proposed location produces minimal adverse effects on the environment and the welfare of North Dakota citizens. The hearings also allowed the public to contribute to the PSC’s official record before the PSC issues a permit. 

The two hearings were held on March 17 in Crosby, North Dakota, and March 20 in Ray, North Dakota.  

Philip Westby, manager of transmission services at Basin Electric, testified that the project provides multiple benefits for North Dakota, including reliability, operational, and economic benefits.  

“By adding two new 230-kV transmission paths at the northern edge of the SPP footprint, this project strengthens the transmission network in northwest North Dakota, improving voltage support, enhancing system robustness, and increasing operational flexibility," Westby said. “The new facilities also expand transfer capability in both directions, allowing North Dakota-generated electricity to be exported to other energy markets, while also enabling imports of power into the state when needed for reliability or market conditions.”  

Looking Ahead 

Transmission lines crossing an international border require a Presidential Permit from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE must determine if the project is of public interest, receive favorable recommendations from the Departments of State and War, and complete a National Environmental Policy Act review, which will likely include an Environmental Impact Statement. 

Ryan King, environmental coordinator at Basin Electric, noted that the Presidential Permit is still under review by the DOE, with Basin Electric receiving favorable recommendations from the Department of War and the Department of State. 

“We have received the Clean Water Act 401 Water Quality Certificate, and the DOE has confirmed they have initiated the final formal review and approval process,” King said. “We anticipate the final review to take approximately one month.” 

The North Dakota PSC is expected to have a decision within the coming weeks.