Map depicting the route of the new LOS-to-Tande transmission line.
The North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) recently approved Basin Electric’s corridor compatibility and route permit application for a new 162-mile, 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in northwest North Dakota.
The new transmission line—LOS-to-Tande—will connect the Leland Olds Station (LOS), near Stanton, North Dakota, to the Tande substation, near Tioga, North Dakota. To accommodate local electrical power delivery, a new substation, called Crane Creek, will also be constructed alongside the proposed transmission alignment south of Belden, North Dakota. The line creates a 345-kV loop around the north side of Lake Sakakawea where no 354-kV transmission exists today.
Southwest Power Pool (SPP), a regional transmission organization, deemed this project necessary for the reliability of the transmission system through its 2021 Integrated Transmission Planning process.
In testimony before the PSC, Philip Westby, Basin Electric manager of Transmission Services, said Basin Electric’s load forecasts show growth in the region, which causes stress to existing infrastructure. “The existing transmission capacity in this region is insufficient and unless the project is constructed, future load growth will be restricted, transmission congestion will be higher, and the transmission system will be less reliable because of the inability to perform planned maintenance on the critical circuits,” he said.
Public Hearings
The North Dakota PSC scheduled two public hearings due to the length of the transmission line and the route crossing five counties—Mercer, McLean, Ward, Mountrail, and Williams—in North Dakota. Public hearings examine the construction, operation, and maintenance of the new transmission line 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 issuing the permit.
The first hearing occurred on Feb. 26 in Underwood, North Dakota, with the second scheduled for March 6 in Stanley, North Dakota. However, both hearings had to be rescheduled due to an issue with public notices.
The Underwood and Stanley hearings were postponed to March 31 and April 4, respectively.
Bobby Nasset, Basin Electric’s supervisor of Civil Engineering and project manager, provided testimony at the hearings regarding the project route, costs, transmission design, line structures, and the various construction phases.
Basin Electric evaluated more than 700 miles of different route options and made numerous iterations based on landowner feedback. “Basin Electric routed the project to minimize impacts to the environment and human welfare, and to accommodate existing and planned land uses while managing material, construction, and maintenance costs,” Nasset stated in testimony.
Ryan King, Basin Electric’s environmental coordinator, also testified at each hearing about the cultural and natural resources surveys conducted along the LOS-to-Tande route and the status of other environmental permits. He said Basin Electric conducted a thorough environmental review of the project area to avoid environmentally sensitive areas and areas where there could be adverse impacts to human welfare. “Where such areas cannot be avoided completely, Basin Electric is committed to taking appropriate measures to minimize any adverse effects,” King said.
Bobby Nasset testifies before the North Dakota PSC.Looking Ahead
The LOS-to-Tande transmission line is estimated to cost $360 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2025 and end in November 2026.
“Starting construction is a major milestone for this project and reflects the significant effort from the project team over the past three -years to complete the design, routing, material procurement, easement acquisition, and permitting process,” said Nasset. “We also want to thank local, state and federal agencies, and especially the area landowners for their collaboration and input in finding a route that achieved the project goals while minimizing impacts and disturbance to existing land use.”
