The PowerOn Midwest project team recently wrapped up a second round of routing open houses across southern Minnesota, continuing efforts to gather local input as route development moves forward.
From Aug. 4-13, the team hosted 12 open houses in communities across the project study area, providing an opportunity for landowners, community members and other stakeholders to review revised route options, ask questions and share feedback.
Attendance was strong with nearly 2,000 people participating in the meetings. The turnout reflects the continued interest in the project and the importance communities place on helping shape the proposed transmission routes. Feedback gathered during the open houses will help the project team further refine routes before filing route permit applications with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in February 2027.
“Finding the best route means listening to the people who know these communities and properties the best,” said Great River Energy Manager of Transmission Permitting and Land Rights Dan Lesher. “The feedback we received during these open houses helps us better understand local considerations and will play an important role as we continue refining the routes for the route permit applications that will be submitted to the PUC in February next year.”
PowerOn Midwest is a series of proposed transmission projects anchored by a 765-kilovolt backbone transmission line being developed by Great River Energy, ITC Midwest, Otter Tail Power Company and Xcel Energy. The projects are designed to strengthen grid reliability across southern Minnesota, eastern South Dakota and the broader Upper Midwest while supporting the region’s growing energy needs.
Maps and fact sheets are available at PowerOnMidwest.com, which is a comprehensive resource with up-to-date information about the project.
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