In Minnkota’s path

By NEIL O. NELSON

Minnkota Power Cooperative is planning to build a $280 million transmission line from Center, N.D. to Grand Forks.

A Minnkota spokesperson in Hillsboro this week said there’s a possibility the 225-mile transmission line originating at the Milton R. Young Station at Center could pass through Traill County.

The power line of single pole structures running through the heart of Traill then north to Grand Forks is one of three corridors being studied as the Center to Grand Forks (CGF) Transmission Line Project reaches eastern North Dakota. Another corridor cutting through the northwest corner of the county is also under consideration. A third corridor heads north and east after entering Steele County.

All six of the west to east lines being considered by Minnkota Power are contained in two corridors running the length of the state parallel with Hwy. 200. The two corridors break into three paths as the project nears Grand Forks County. 

Meeting Tuesday with Traill’s five commissioners, John Graves, Minnkota Power environmental manager, indicated there were three end routes to the six transmission lines under consideration.

The project, he said, “may or may not pass through Traill County.”

Construction on the three-year project will start in 2010.

The transmission line allows Minnkota to meet its projected energy demand without building a new power plant at Center, according to Graves. He described the construction timeline as very ambitious.

Public informational meetings are planned across the state next month.

A May 14 meeting is planned in Grand Forks. Minnkota officials have also scheduled a May 13 meeting in Cooperstown. Information on the Center to Grand Forks Project can be found on the Internet at www.minnkota.com.

Minnkota will be conducting property surveys and environmental assessments this year, in addition to obtaining route permits, according to Graves.

Landowners giving up their land will be compensated the market value of the property, according to Graves. Farmers will also be paid for crop loss or damages to their land during construction.

Graves estimated each mile of land will contain seven to eight towers carrying the overhead power lines.

Minnesota Power of Duluth is working with Minnkota Power on the Center to Grand Forks project.

Minnkota Power Cooperative, a regional generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Grand Forks, serves 350,000 people on 118,000 meters in an area covering 35,000 square miles.