Basin Electric opens dialogue on proposed transmission project

Basin Electric will host several public open houses this fall to gather feedback on its proposed Laramie River-to-Belfield 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission project. The project includes approximately 400 miles of transmission line across portions of Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.

The project would connect the Laramie River area in Wyoming to the Belfield area in North Dakota. Project plans also include building two new substations in South Dakota.

Each open house will be open to the public from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Time. They are come-and-go format, so visitors can attend at any time during the open house hours. Each will feature the same information, so visitors may attend the most convenient location.

Public Open House Schedule

• Monday, Oct. 26.

Bentley Memorial Bldg. 400 W. Carr St. Bison, SD 57620

• Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Memorial Hall. 925 Main St. New England, ND 58647

• Wednesday, Oct. 28.

New Underwood Community Center. 500 S. A Ave, New Underwood, SD 57761

• Thursday, Oct. 29.

Mueller Civic Center Annex Room. 801 S. 6th St. Hot Springs, SD 57747

• Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Chadron Arts Center. 371 King St. Chadron, NE 69337

• Thursday, Nov. 12.

Lincoln Community Complex Pony Express Room. 436 E. 22nd Ave. Torrington, WY 82240

The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) identified the project through regional studies aimed at improving the transmission system, boosting reliability, and moving electricity more efficiently across the region. The project is expected to reduce congestion on the grid, improve power delivery during outages and other unexpected events, help avoid future system upgrades, and provide more affordable, reliable electricity to communities across the region.