The Public Service Commission has given its okay to an agreement between Montana Dakota Utilities and McKenzie Electric Cooperative over who will provide power to areas outside the city limits of Watford City.
The two utilities will each get a piece of the pie in one of the fastest growing areas in western North Dakota.
"We're laying out plans for significant growth in the Watford City area," said Commissioner Julie Fedorchak. "There are so many positive outcomes of these service area agreements -- avoiding misunderstandings, encouraging harmony and efficient operation, promoting safety, discouraging unreasonable duplication of infrastructure, and assuring reliable service."
Fedorchak says it allows MDU and McKenzie Electric to share in the growth.
It was the second agreement of its type the PSC has approved this year. The earlier approval concerned areas around Valley City.