Regulatory Process
The BSSA transmission line will be constructed in both Minnesota and South Dakota, and the two states have different regulatory processes and timelines. Both state processes follow relevant laws and rules, and consider potential impacts on the environment, residents in the routing area, and orderly development of the region. On January 30, 2025, the SD PUC approved the Facility Permit Application for the South Dakota portion of the project.
We filed the Minnesota Route Permit application with the MN PUC in October of 2024. On April 30, 2026, the MN PUC gave verbal approval of the Route Permit, and we received the written approval on June 25, 2026.
Minnesota regulatory process
Two key approvals from the MN PUC were received for this project: a Certificate of Need (CN) and a Route Permit. The CN process evaluated the need for the proposed facilities and established the appropriate size, configuration, and timing. Separately, the Route Permit process determined the final alignment of the transmission line.
Certificate of Need
Docket Number: 22-538
Key Milestones:
- September 2023: Submitted CN Application
- October 2024: CN Approved
- November 2024: Errata Notice Filed
Route Permit
On April 30, 2026, the MN PUC gave verbal approval of the Route Permit, and we received the written approval on June 25, 2026.
Docket Number: 23-160
Key Milestones:
- October 2024: Filed Route Permit application
- December 2024 / January 2025: MN PUC accepted our application as complete and opened a comment period that included the opportunity to participate in six public hearings to gather oral, written, and electronic comments on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
- May 2025: MN PUC approved the scope of the EIS
- September / October 2025: MN PUC released the Draft EIS for public comment and opened a comment period that included the opportunity to participate in six public hearings to gather oral, written, and electronic comments on the Draft EIS and route options
- December 2025: MN PUC released the Final EIS
- June 2026: MN PUC approved the Route Permit.
MN PUC Route Permit Application Process
- Application submitted
- Comment period on Completeness
- If accepted, public information meeting & comment period
- Commission consideration of alternatives to be studied
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement issued & related public meetings
- Public and evidentiary hearings
- ALJ report submitted to Commission
- Exceptions to ALJ report
- Decision by the PUC
Have questions? Call 800-598-5587 and one of our ROW agents will help walk you through the process.
What comes next in this process?
With the final route now approved, we're reaching out to landowners along the approved route, adjacent landowners, and stakeholders who have been involved in the project from the beginning.
Learn more about how the MN PUC Permitting Process works here.
Learn more
To view the filings and dockets associated with the project (Certificate of Nees and/or Route Permit), visit the MN PUC's e-Filing page. From there, you can learn more about eDockets and find our docket by clicking "Go to eDockets" and searching for the numbers above.
South Dakota regulatory process
Facility Permit
eDocket Number: EL24-015
Key Milestones:
- April 2024 Submitted Facility Permit Application
- May 2024 SD PUC conducted a public input meeting on the Facility Permit Application
- January 2025 SD PUC approved Facility Permit Application
Learn more
View the Facility Permit and associated filing by visiting the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission's eDockets site.
Library & FAQs
Download project and permitting documents and find answers in our FAQ section.
Learn more
Learn more