The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has announced a series of public meetings and hearings and the release of a draft Environmental Impact Statement of the Big Stone South to Alexandria Powerline Project proposed to impact portions of Pope County.
Notice of these proceedings is being provided as a public service. This proceeding is not a County matter. Please do not contact the County with any questions about this rate proceeding. Questions can be directed to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission at (800) 657-3782 or by emailing consumer.puc@state.mn.us
A formal notice has been issued by the PUC, which can be accessed by clicking here. Information from the Notice on the meeting dates and times follows below:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on the route permit application submitted by Otter Tail Power Company and Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency through its agent, Missouri River Energy Services (Applicants) and the draft Environmental Impact Statement on the project developed by PUC-EIP.
The Big Stone South to Alexandria Transmission Line Project (BSSA Project) is a new approximately 91- to 113-mile 345-kilovolt (kV) double-circuit capable transmission line that will go from the Minnesota-South Dakota border to the existing Alexandria Substation near Alexandria, Minnesota. Only a single-circuit will be installed initially. The BSSA Project would be located in portions of Big Stone, Swift, Stevens, Pope, and Douglas counties.
In-person hearings and an online hearing option will be offered to the public as follows:
In-Person Hearings
| Date | Time | Location |
| Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. (doors open pre-meeting hour) 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (formal meeting) |
Broadway Ballroom 115 30th Ave E Alexandria, MN 56308 |
| Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. (doors open pre-meeting hour) 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (formal meeting) |
Lakeside Ballroom 180 S Lakeshore Drive Glenwood, MN 56334 |
| Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. (doors open pre-meeting hour) 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (formal meeting) |
Hancock City Hall 662 6th St Hancock, MN 56244 |
| Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. (doors open pre-meeting hour) 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (formal meeting) |
Benson Northside Elementary School 1800 Nevada Ave Benson, MN 56215 |
| Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. (doors open pre-meeting hour) 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (formal meeting) |
Sioux Historic Pavilion 1073 Lake Shore Dr Ortonville, MN 56278 |
Online Hearing via WebEx
Date: Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. or until there are no more questions or comments.
Join by WebEx (Webinar) Link: https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/j.php?MTID=m608c482f7088e74e72d0db617b87d0c9
Webinar Number: 2493 131 9679
Webinar Password: MnPUC! (667820 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Toll Free  Access Code: 2493 131 9679
If you are joining the meeting via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the meeting, use the chat or raised-hand functions to send a message to the meeting moderator. If you are joining the meeting by phone, press *3 on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, your line will be unmuted, and you will be able to ask questions and provide comments.
Additional information and instructions are available at:
https://mn.gov/puc/activities/meetings/webex/
Notice of these proceedings is being provided as a public service. This proceeding is not a County matter. Please do not contact the County with any questions about this rate proceeding. Questions can be directed to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission at (800) 657-3782 or by emailing consumer.puc@state.mn.us