Resources
Fact Sheets
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MR-C Transmission Project?
Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Great River Energy are hosting open houses to introduce the Maple River – Cuyuna (MR-C) Transmission Project. The proposed MR-C Transmission Project is an approximately 160-mile-long, single-circuit 345 kV transmission line on double-circuit structures from Minnesota Power’s Cuyuna Substation near Riverton, Minnesota, to Otter Tail Power Company’s Maple River Substation near Fargo, North Dakota.
Why is the project needed?
The Project is one in a portfolio of transmission projects approved by the regional grid operator, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), in its 2024 Long-Range Transmission Planning portfolio.
As a part of this larger portfolio, the MR-C Transmission Project will:
- Enhance the reliability of the regional transmission system as the way we produce and use electricity changes
- Increase transmission system capacity to reliably deliver energy from where it is produced to where it is used
- Meet growing electrical demand and enhance resiliency during extreme weather events
- Enable cost-effective regional energy transfers supporting economical grid operations
How will I benefit from this project?
The MR-C Transmission Project will allow Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Great River Energy to continue delivering reliable energy to our customers and members. This Project will:
- Enhance the reliability of the regional transmission system as the way we produce and use electricity changes
- Increase transmission system capacity to reliably deliver energy from where it is produced to where it is used
- Meet growing electrical demand and enhance resiliency during extreme weather events
- Enable cost-effective regional energy transfers supporting economical grid operations
The Project is part of a large portfolio of regional transmission projects approved by MISO, the region’s grid operator, in December 2024 (https://www.misoenergy.org/planning/long-range-transmission-planning/). All the projects in that portfolio work together to provide broad regional benefits in addition to local reliability benefits.
What is MISO?
MISO stands for Midcontinent Independent System Operator. It is an independent, not-for-profit, member-based organization that operates the regional electricity grid. The region comprises 15 states in the central United States and the province of Manitoba in Canada. You can learn more about MISO’s transmission planning at misoenergy.org.
What are transmission lines and substations and what do they do?
Electricity is generated at power plants, wind or solar facilities and other generation sites before it is delivered across a complex, interconnected system of power lines and substations to electric customers and cooperative members. Think of transmission lines as the interstates, or the superhighways of the electric system. Transmission lines carry large amounts of high-voltage electricity from generation sites to substations, where it is “stepped down” to lower voltages so it can be delivered across the electric distribution system, and safely used at homes, farms and businesses.
What will the transmission line structures look like?
Like other 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines recently built in Minnesota and North Dakota, the MR-C Transmission Project will typically use a single-pole steel structure capable of holding three phases of wires on each side of the structure. These poles will be constructed as single-circuit structures with double-circuit capability. This design is proven to withstand high winds and provide capacity to support the development of a reliable, resilient and flexible energy grid.
What is the schedule for this project?
In February 2025, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Great River Energy provided a notice of intent to apply for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The Project will also need a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and a Certificate of Corridor Compatibility and Route Permit from the North Dakota Public Service Commission. Here is the proposed schedule:
- 2025 – Project planning, initial stakeholder engagement, and routing
- 2026-2028 – Public engagement, routing, permitting, engineering, environmental surveys, and right-of-way acquisition
- 2029-2032 – Construction
- 2033 – Anticipated in-service
Can I get involved in the process? Will my input be taken into account in the process?
Yes and yes! You can get information and provide input by browsing this website and signing up for email updates. You can also attend public open houses; details on these events will be provided under the “Events” tab on this website.
Property owners along the proposed route will receive information throughout the regulatory process, and we are always available to discuss the Project with each individual property owner.
You can subscribe to receive updates from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Visit edockets.state.mn.us/documents and enter the docket number you’re interested in tracking. For information on the Certificate of Need use docket 25-109. The utility companies will file applications with the North Dakota Public Service Commission in 2026 and 2027 (https://www.psc.nd.gov/index.php).
What if I have personal or commercial land on the proposed route?
Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Great River Energy continue to gather information from the public to support the development of potential routes for the Project. When we are ready to present a proposed route, we will work closely with landowners to answer questions, solicit input and negotiate and gather necessary land rights. If you are a landowner within the proposed route, you will receive additional information from our right-of-way team. At this time, the utilities anticipate having a proposed route in the second quarter of 2026. More information on the right-of-way process is available on this website’s “Resources” tab.
Please contact us with any questions: connect@MRCTransmissionProject.com
Who can I talk to if I have other questions about the project?
If you have questions not answered here, you can fill out the comment form, email connect@MRCTransmissionProject.com or call 1-888-419-5670. All comments and questions go to our Project team and one of our team members will get back to you.
How much will this project cost me on my electricity bills?
The MR-C Transmission Project is one of 24 regional projects approved by MISO, the region’s grid operator, at the end of 2024. Because the entire region benefits from this Project, the cost is spread across all the utilities who are regional members of MISO. Everyone who uses electricity in the MISO region will pay a share through their electric bills as costs flow through to electric utility and cooperative members.
How much will this project cost and how will it be paid for?
The utilities will develop an estimate of costs, which will be included in the Project application submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission no later than February 2026.
How far will the transmission line be from homes and businesses?
To the extent practicable, once a route has been selected, the MR-C Transmission Project will be designed to minimize impacts to homes and businesses. Proximity to homes and businesses is considered in the routing process.
What is a right-of-way? What is an easement?
When people talk about building new transmission lines, they often refer to an “easement” or a “right-of-way (ROW).” Although the terms are used interchangeably, they are distinct concepts. An easement is a land right document, and a ROW is the physical land upon which the facilities are located.
A ROW is typically a strip of land used for a specific purpose such as the construction, operation and maintenance of a road or transmission line. ROW is typically secured as an easement on a property.
An easement is an agreement between the utility and the landowner in allowing the utility owner the right to construct, operate and maintain a transmission line and other associated infrastructure on a landowner’s property. Terms of the easement are written in the easement agreement. Most electric utility easements are perpetual and not subject to termination or expiration. Once an easement is signed, it becomes part of the property record. The utility, the landowner who signed the easement, and all future property owners are bound by the agreement terms.
What is the easement offer package?
Market values are determined by sales studies conducted throughout the Project area. These market values will be used to identify a per-acre value for the easement offer. Landowners will be offered a one-time payment based on fair market value for easement rights to their land.
How does an easement affect my property?
The easement restricts the placement of buildings and structures within the easement area for safety and reliability and provides rights for access as well as clearing and removal of vegetation. Our Project team will coordinate with landowners prior to construction. Additionally, easements stay with a property even if the ownership of a property changes.
What activities are allowed within the right-of-way area?
In general, the land can continue to be used as before, provided that the use does not interfere with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the transmission line. This includes hunting and fishing but note that no structures are allowed within the ROW, including deer stands.
You can farm up to the base of the transmission line structure and underneath the line. The public should exercise appropriate caution when operating equipment around any power line. The use of larger vehicles in proximity to any line requires additional review and such equipment should only be operated by qualified operators in accordance with OSHA safe work rules.
What is right-of-entry?
Right-of-entry agreements grant temporary access prior to an easement and in support of field work necessary for the permitting, surveying and design phases of the transmission line.
What types of surveys are performed?
Field surveys allow the Project team to verify or collect new information about the proposed route to help minimize impacts for construction of the transmission line. Studies may include:
- Geotechnical
- Biological
- Cultural resources
- Wetland and waterbodies
- Invasive species
- Protected species
- Raptor nests
What is the construction process?
The utility companies will require easements that allow for surveying, construction, operation and maintenance of a transmission line across a defined ROW located on the landowner’s property. These easements will include the right to clear, trim and remove vegetation and trees from within the ROW, as well as trees adjacent to the ROW that may threaten the line if they fall. We will do our best to minimize impacts during construction, which is expected to begin in 2029.
Following construction, the utility companies will conduct ongoing maintenance of the transmission line, including but not limited to line inspections, surveys, and vegetation management.
Landowners are eligible for reasonable compensation for property damage that may occur when the transmission line is constructed and during future repair and maintenance. Those issues are included in easement documents.
