Project Status
Minnkota continues to work through the environmental review and permitting process for the Center to Grand Forks Project. In addition to working with the lead federal and state permitting agencies, the Center to Grand Forks Project team continues to meet with landowners regarding options for transmission line easements.
Preliminary Structures
Four structure types are proposed for the transmission line Project. Click on the image below for an enlarged photo and explanation of each structure. Most of the structures will be of the “Typical Monopole” type. Specialty structures will be used near the Grand Forks International Airport and at the Missouri River crossing point.
| Typical Structures: | Specialty Structures: | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Typical Monopole | Dead-End Monopole | Grand Forks Airport H-Frame | Specialty Missouri River | |
Click the thumbnails above for larger structure images.
Environmental Field Surveys
During fall 2011, environmental survey crews conducted field surveys along the proposed transmission corridor and route that was submitted to the North Dakota Public Service Commission as part of Minnkota’s environmental and cultural resources review. These surveys included wetland identification, tree inventory, and archaeological and historic structure assessments. Additional surveys may be warranted through the winter 2011/2012 and spring 2012 as route development continues.
Environmental Permitting Steps
- Public scoping meeting notice published (Completed November 2009)
- Public scoping meetings held with a 30-day comment period (Completed November 2009)
- Scoping Report published (Completed March 2010)
- Environmental Assessment published November 2010 followed by a 30-day comment period (Completed December 2010)
- Environmental Assessment Comment Report published (March 2011)
- Issue Project determination
- Rural Utilities Service website
- Minnkota - Filed Letter of Intent for a Project application (Filed October 2009 and PSC acknowledged November 2009)
- Minnkota - Filed Certificate of Corridor Compatibility Application (February 2011)
- PSC - Deemed Certificate of Corridor Compatibility Application complete and issue hearing notice (April 2011)
- PSC - Held public hearings on Certificate of Corridor Compatibility Application (June 2011)
- PSC - Issued Certificate of Corridor Compatibility (September 2011)
- Minnkota - Filed Route Permit Application (December 2011)
- PSC - Deem Route Permit Application complete and issue hearing notice
- PSC - Issue Route Permit
On Dec. 2, 2011, Minnkota filed a Route Permit application and Corridor waiver with the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC). Following the PSC’s review of the application, public hearings are scheduled for February 22 and 27 and March 1, 2012.
Future Public Opportunities
Moving forward through the permitting processes, the public will continue to have opportunities to be involved and to provide input during the Route Permit application public hearings, as shown in the timeline graphic below.
The Project is anticipated to be completed by fourth quarter 2013. Minnkota will continue to provide information to the public as the Project progresses.
