The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission on Jan. 28 approved a Facility Permit for the South Dakota portion of the Big Stone South to Alexandria (BSSA) 345-kilovolt transmission line.
Otter Tail Power Company and Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, represented through its agent Missouri River Energy Services, will co-own the approximately 100-mile transmission line.
The companies filed the Facility Permit application for the 3.5-mile South Dakota portion of the line on April 15, 2024.
Otter Tail Power is leading the BSSA transmission line development and construction.
“We’re pleased to reach this significant milestone. The Commission’s approval of this essential project highlights our commitment to maintaining a robust and reliable regional energy grid,” the utilities said. “This transmission line represents an important infrastructure improvement and demonstrates our dedication to meeting the growing energy needs of our customers in a cost-effective manner.”
BSSA is designed to ensure continued electric reliability, enhance resilience to extreme weather events, reduce transmission congestion and increase access to low-cost energy. It will connect Otter Tail Power’s existing substation near Big Stone City, South Dakota, with WMMPA's existing substation near Alexandria, Minnesota.
Otter Tail Power and MRES filed a Route Permit application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 22, 2024, for the Minnesota portion of the project.
The companies anticipate a decision from the MPUC in mid-2026 and are currently targeting an in-service date for the project by the end of 2030.
For more information about BSSA, visit bigstonesouthtoalexandria.com.
MRES is a not-for-profit joint-action agency that provides wholesale electricity and energy-related services to 61 member municipalities in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency was incorporated on June 16, 1976, as a municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Minnesota.
WMMPA has a formal relationship through which WMMPA finances the construction and acquisition of the generation and transmission facilities for members of MRES.
MRES staff provides the administrative services to manage WMMPA's portfolios. WMMPA's membership primarily includes the Minnesota members of MRES.
