PowerOn Midwest open houses wrap up across southern Minnesota
Why it matters to Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric members
To inform and engage local communities, Great River Energy (GRE), Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric’s wholesale electric supplier, and its utility partners, hosted a series of in-person and virtual open houses in early November across southern Minnesota to introduce PowerOn Midwest to the area and answer questions from the public.
PowerOn Midwest is a series of new electric transmission projects anchored by a 765 kV backbone transmission line being developed by GRE, ITC Midwest, Otter Tail Power Company and Xcel Energy. The projects will connect eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and the broader region, enhancing grid reliability in the Upper Midwest to meet growing and changing energy needs in the coming decades.
The PowerOn Midwest open houses provided:
• An overview of PowerOn Midwest, including what is driving the need for the project and how it supports reliability and economic growth.
• Information on the regulatory process and the two permits required by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission: the Certificate of Need and the Route Permits.
• Opportunities for attendees to ask questions and share feedback directly with project staff.
Why it matters to Steele-Waseca members
PowerOn Midwest will benefit the entire Upper Midwest region, helping to ensure that electricity is delivered where and when it’s needed every hour of every day—regardless of weather, generation source, or energy use levels. Additionally, the 765 kV project will be located in the Steele-Waseca service area, so some members may host a portion of the transmission line on their property. Great River Energy and its partners are in the very early stages of development so the route has not yet been determined and there will be many opportunities as the process continues for cooperative members to provide input and have their questions answered.
Looking ahead
Great River Energy and its utility partners anticipate filing a Certificate of Need application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in February 2026. After that, there will be multiple opportunities for public participation in both the Certificate of Need and Route Permit phases. GRE and its PowerOn Midwest partners are committed to early and proactive engagement, recognizing the importance of local voices in identifying the best location for the transmission line. For more information, visit PowerOnMidwest.com.
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