Last week, the Northland Reliability Project hosted an informational event at Pebble Creek in Becker. The event was open to elected officials, impacted landowners, and curious members of the public. 

The Northland Reliability Project’s goal is to construct a power line which will connect the Iron Range Energy Substation to the yet-to-be-built “Big Oaks” Substation in Sherburne County. The hope is that the project will improve Minnesota’s energy reliability and sustainability, with power being transferred throughout the state from the substations along the route to the homes and businesses that need the power. This is the largest project of its kind in all the midwest. 

Great River Energy and Minnesota Power Company are overseeing the project. 

Heather Reinhart, Communications Specialist for Great River Energy, said that the purpose of this project is to provide support to the energy grid and create flexibility so many types of power generation from many locations could be connected to meet the long-term needs of customers and members.The project was formally announced last June. 

Currently, Great River Energy and Minnesota Power Company are gathering input on exactly where the lines should be placed. To do this, they invited representatives from local town, city, and county governance boards, as well as area landowners who may be impacted by poles for the line being built on their property. 

The important thing for landowners to remember is that, currently, the two companies are still in the early stages of planning. While they hope to construct the line in a certain proposed area (see image), any input given in this current stage will have an impact on the final project. 

Landowners who are interested in getting more information or in giving their feedback can visit NorthlandReliabilityProject.com. For that matter, members of the general public may also make suggestions, if they believe there are local spots that should be avoided, for example. The two companies will also be back out in the communities to give more presentations in April. 

The project is anticipated to be in service by 2030. This project is just one of four tranches aimed to improve the reliability of Minnesota energy.