MDU and WBI Energy are planning to construct a natural gas pipeline extension project that will bring more natural gas to Wahpeton and extend service to Kindred.
It will be a 60-mile extension of the pipeline, from Mapleton to Wahpeton.
"We have been up against a maximum volume of what we can get down to customers there, which puts the city of Wahpeton into a position of industrial customers who want to expand not able to do so," said MDU spokesman Mark Hanson. "Or, if new industrial customers want to come in, and need natural gas, we haven't had the ability to serve them."
Right now, Wahpeton-Breckinridge is served by Great Plains Natural Gas – an MDU subsidiary – through a pipeline on the Minnesota side.
"This brings a supply down, off WBI's pipeline, that will give us additional volume," Hanson said. "That will allow a business to expand, or bring in new business."
Hanson said it's been a long time to make this happen. He said the plan is to start construction on the $60 million project in early 2024, and have it finished by later that year.