Wheelock to Saskatchewan Transmission Project Presidential Permit; North Dakota

Summary

The Basin Electric Power Cooperative has submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a Presidential Permit to allow for the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of electric transmission facilities at the international border between North Dakota and Saskatchewan, Canada. The proposed project, called the Tande and Wheelock to Saskatchewan Transmission Project, would construct two new 230kV electric transmission lines from existing substations in North Dakota to the Canadian border.

In February 2024, DOE issued a Notice of Application to acknowledge receipt of Basin Electric’s Presidential Permit application. DOE’s Notice of Application does not imply DOE’s endorsement of the proposed infrastructure, nor does it supersede or replace any other necessary local, state, or federal permits, permissions, or approvals. It serves solely to inform the public of Basin Electric’s application and invite feedback to inform DOE’s eventual permit decision. 

Public Comment Opportunities

To understand the potential environmental impacts of the Tande and Wheelock to Saskatchewan Transmission Project, DOE will prepare either an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). DOE is seeking comments to help determine the issues that should be addressed in its environmental review and the appropriate level of analysis (EA or EIS).

Comments on the proposed Project are due to DOE by 11:59 PM CDT on November 29, 2024. Please reference “Tande and Wheelock to Saskatchewan Transmission Project” in your correspondence.

How to Submit Comments

• Via Email (preferred): BasinElectricNEPA@hq.doe.gov 
• Via Mail: U.S. Department of Energy, Grid Deployment Office, 1000 Independence Ave SW, Suite 4H-065, Washington, DC 20585
• Via Voicemail:  +1-866-606-7553

While DOE cannot guarantee consideration of comments received or postmarked after November 29, late comments will be considered to the extent practicable.   

Public Scoping Meetings

Interested parties can also submit comments on the proposed Project during DOE’s public scoping meetings on Tuesday, October 29 and Wednesday, October 30, 2024. During these meetings, DOE will:

• Present an overview of the Tande and Wheelock to Saskatchewan Transmission Project,
• Provide information on DOE’s environmental review process and schedule,
• Gather public input on potential environmental impacts, and
• Identify issues that should be addressed in DOE’s environmental review and inform DOE’s decision on the appropriate level of environmental review.

Your participation and comments will help shape the scope and content of DOE’s environmental review.

Resources

The main body of Basin Electric’s application is available at the link below and on the Grid Deployment Office’s website here. To request copies of Appendices to the application, please contact electricity.exports@hq.doe.gov. Meeting materials and additional project information will be posted below, as they are available.

• PP-503 Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Federal Register Notice of Application
• PP-503 Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Presidential Permit Application