The Public Service Commission has approved the route of a new 345 kilovolt power line in eastern North Dakota.
The line is part of the CapX-2020 project. It’s designed to improve reliability for power customers in the Red River Valley. The line will cross the Red River just north of Oxbow, and runs south of Horace and north of Davenport, where it veers north to a new substation to be built north of Mapleton.
The Commission vote was two to one. Commissioner Kevin Cramer was the lone "no" vote.
"We've moved the line some, to honor the fact that the city of Fargo is groing to the south," said Cramer. "In doing so, we've infringed upon other communities that are already established. I'm just saying I think we have to give some weight to other established communities as well, and work a little harder to find a route that is less imposing on fewer people."
Some residents of Fargoand surrounding areas had concerns about the placement of the line in terms of the proposed Red River Diversion project. But Commissioner Bonny Fetch says there are still a lot of uncertainties about a diversion.
"Even if there is, it's uncertain what that might be, or when it might take place," said Fetch. "I don't believe that this Commission can hold up making a decision on this, based on some speculative uncertain future decision which may come down about the diversion."
Construction on the North Dakota line would begin in 2013 – and be ready by 2015.
