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Project Announcements

Scoping Comment Period Closed - Public comments will be addressed in the Scoping Report published by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) in early 2010.

Macro-Corridor Study and Alternative Evaluation Study are available on the Resources page.

The Center to Grand Forks (CGF) Project

Public Scoping Meetings

Minnkota has entered the second phase of the CGF project by filing a Macro-Corridor Study and an Alternative Evaluation Study for the corridor. The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) held six public scoping meetings to develop an Environmental Assessment document for the project. The meetings were held in Grand Forks, Cooperstown, Carrington, McClusky, Wilton and Center, N.D. RUS provided information on the project, answered questions and collected comments regarding potential environmental concerns. All materials presented at these meetings are available on this site.

The official comment period for the RUS closed on December 18, 2009. To leave a comment or a question for Minnkota, please visit the Comment page.

RUS is currently developing a Scoping Report to address all comments received during the environmental review process.  The Scoping Report will be published by the RUS in early 2010. When available, RUS will publish the Scoping Report on their website and it will be also posted on this site.

Next Steps

Minnkota has defined the macro-corridors for the Center to Grand Forks Project but exact route alternatives have not yet been established. The location of the route alternatives will take into consideration:

  • Right of ways
  • Natural and cultural resources
  • Buildings
  • Residential dwellings
  • Compatibility with comprehensive plans
  • Future planning districts
  • Agricultural considerations
  • Utilities
  • Length of the line
Minnkota will also apply for two permits from the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC): a Certificate of Corridor Compatibility and a Route Permit. The public will have a number of opportunities to get involved in the process as shown in the timeline graphic below:

The project is anticipated to be completed by early 2013 in order to coordinate with the reallocation of energy from Minnesota Power to Minnkota Power Cooperative. Minnkota will continue to provide information to the public as the project progresses.