North Dakota PSC Commissioners Randy Christmann, foreground, and Sheri Haugen-Hoffart participate in a Dec. 21, 2023 hearing in Bismarck. (Kyle Martin/North Dakota Monitor)
By: Jeff Beach
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota utility regulators on Wednesday denied a request to reconsider a vote on a controversial power line but explained that opponents still have time to weigh in before a final decision is made.
The Public Service Commission in November approved a certificate of need for a large power line between Jamestown and Ellendale, known as the JETx project. However, the project still needs a route permit from the agency.
A permit application for the approximately 95-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line has not yet been submitted. Otter Tail Power and Montana-Dakota Utilities are partnering on the project.
A petition to reconsider the November vote was filed in May, outside the timeframe specified in state law for such an appeal.
Commission Chair Randy Christmann voted against the project in November but joined the other two commissioners in voting to reject the petition Wednesday.
“Although it was not the decision I wanted, the commission made a decision, and now we need to stick by it,” Christmann said.
Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart said when an application is received, opponents can intervene in the case and state their concerns. There also will be a public hearing on the project.
The power line was part of a debate during the North Dakota legislative session this year. The Legislature approved a bill that says electrical transmission line projects must follow state zoning rules, taking away local government authority.
In another vote, the PSC approved the large Flickertail Solar Project in Richland County in southeast North Dakota. Construction on the $375 million project is expected to start next year.
Otter Tail Power is a partner on the project.
Comments