At the May 5 county board meeting, information was presented on plans for extending a new transmission line from Marion, Minn., to the Mississippi River (105 miles). The plan is to replace a 161 kilovolt (kV) transmission line with a new 765/161 kV double-circuit transmission line (Maribell Transmission Line). The double-circuit lines are to be on a steel lattice structure.
This portion of the project will connect with 35 miles of a new single-circuit 765 kV transmission line running from the North Rochester Substation near Pine Island to Marion.
Branden Yates, Dairyland Power Cooperative, and Laurie Dunham, GridLiance Heartland, LLC, reviewed the planned project. Dairyland, Xcel, and GridLiance are the three main partners in the proposed project. The planned Maribell project follows the existing corridor of the 161 kV line.
Dunham said there is congestion on the existing lines. The reliability of the grid is a key factor in the proposed upgrade. She said, “Things evolve, things change.” The new 765 kV line will be the next step in the region’s energy system.
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) analysis has shown that one 765 kV transmission line can carry as much power as six 345 kV single circuit lines. MISO, a not-for-profit entity, is the electric grid operator and regional transmission planner for the central part of the country. This technology will limit the total amount of right-of-way needed and require fewer lines to carry the same amount of power. Dunham said MISO has studied how to build the system for multiple years. MISO identified a 1% annual growth rate for the next 20 years; this will require more power than the existing system can reliably deliver.
The permitting process will take some time and include public information and scoping meetings initiated by the Minnesota Public Utility Commission. Possible construction is not expected to begin before 2031 and completion is not anticipated until 2034. For more information visit GophertoBadgerLink.com or Connect@GophertoBadgerLink.com
Citizens Input
Several spoke during the citizens input portion of the meeting on the proposed Gopher to Badger Link project.
Aaron Bishop gave a long and detailed presentation. He said he has attended one of Dairyland Power’s informational meetings. He went on to detail a number of questions. He questioned the affect on weed management and cattle fertility. Bishop especially questioned whether the financial foundation of the project is sound. He said MISO’s own Independent Market Monitor (Potomac Economics) reached a different conclusion than MISO on the benefit-to-cost-ratio. He reported some counties have passed a resolution opposing this transmission line, including Houston County and Crawford County in Wisconsin.
Amy Bishop read a paragraph from a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hearing. They reaffirmed that the Independent Market Monitor has the right to draw its conclusions and review transmission planning.
Bonita Underbakke was concerned about the affect the weight of the structures could have on erodible karst areas, possibly contributing to a collapse of a structure. She warned it could jeopardize water quality in the whole region.
Diana Lawrence said a land representative has come to their property. She expressed a concern of possible health effects and the impact on people or livestock. The line may run only 300 feet from her home. She said she could not find any studies confirming that it would be safe. She asked that studies be made available stating that it would be safe.
Other Business in Brief
•Josh Lensing, engineer in training, was appointed to County Engineer, effective May 15. County Engineer Ron Gregg will be with the county until June 4. Lensing will begin picking up the engineer’s responsibilities. The board congratulated Lensing on his new position.
•The 2026 Rock Contract was awarded to Bruening Rock Products; it was the lowest bid.
•Brent Kohn, Highway, explained there was an opportunity to purchase two used 2018 John Deere motor graders with 1,585 hours on one and 1,708 hours on the other. Each one could be purchased at about half the price of a new motor grader. The plan was to purchase a new one in 2027 and another in 2029. The board approved the purchase of two used motor graders at a total cost of $453,410 after trades from RFO Equipment Co. They will be paid for using fund balance; the budget in 2027 will reimburse the fund balance.
•December 31, 2025 listing of restricted funds was approved as presented.
Leave a Reply