Release Date: Thursday, January 15, 2009

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approves certificate of need

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) unanimously approved a transmission certificate of need (CON) and route permit for the Big Stone Transmission project.

Five regional utilities, including Moorhead Public Service (MPS) power provider Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), are seeking approval from regulators in South Dakota, Minnesota, and the federal government to build needed base load generation and transmission in the region. The CON means the utilities could build and upgrade about 112 miles of electric transmission lines in western Minnesota. These lines would deliver power from a 500- or 580-megawatt coal-fired power plant, called Big Stone II, as well as from numerous wind generation projects.

The Big Stone II plant would be built adjacent to the existing Big Stone Plant in northeastern South Dakota near the MRES member communities of Big Stone City, S.D., and Ortonville, Minn.

“This is a major milestone for the Big Stone II and Big Stone Transmission projects and we are pleased to get the approval from the MPUC after such a lengthy and thoughtful process.  However, there still are other steps to take before construction can begin,” said MPS General Manager Bill Schwandt. “Because this approval process has taken more than three years, a re-examination of construction costs will need to be completed. Project participants will need to evaluate whether conditions placed by the MPUC on its approval will allow us to proceed.” The MPUC decision involved conditions focused on capital costs for the construction of both transmission and generation, carbon costs, and other environmental concerns.

“This decision appears to be a win-win for those affected,” Schwandt said. “Environmental concerns will be addressed through emission reductions at the original Big Stone plant along with wind power having the transmission it needs in southern Minnesota.  And because of the construction of the Big Stone II plant, the citizens of Moorhead will have access to a cost-effective resource that will provide power reliability to the region.”

MPS receives about fifty percent of its power from MRES and accounts for approximately 10 percent of the power sold by MRES.

MPS is a community-owned utility serving the residents of Moorhead, Minnesota, with electricity, water, and broadband Internet access.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Communications Director Doug Rogness at 218-299-5407 or e-mail Doug at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .