Application For Transmission Line Filed With PUC

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — Otter Tail Power Company and Xcel Energy have filed a permit application with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission for a high-voltage transmission line from Big Stone City to near Brookings.

The 70-mile 345-kilovolt line would run between a new substation about three miles west of Big Stone City and the existing Brookings County substation 12 miles east of Brookings.

The permit covers the southern 40-mile portion of the project from just north of Gary to Brookings County. The goal is to have the line operational by 2017.

The Minnesota-based companies are part of CapX2020, a joint initiative of 11 transmission-owning utilities.

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission is planning to hold a public meeting to gather comments from residents July 31 at 6:30 p.m. at McCrory Gardens in Brookings.

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