FAQs
General
The Gopher to Badger Link transmission line project is being proposed to deliver reliable power to homes, farms and businesses across the region, strengthen the electric grid and facilitate access to new energy sources. Dairyland Power Cooperative and Xcel Energy will develop separate segments of this new 765 kilovolt (kV) transmission line, which will run from eastern Minnesota to the Mississippi River.
We’re still in the early stages of the project, so no final route has been determined at this time. We held our first round of open houses in January 2026 to share and collect feedback on the preliminary route options. We've received many comments and much feedback from landowners and stakeholders across the project area, and we appreciate everyone who has taken the time to share their input. For the North Rochester to Marion segment, the project team reviewed comments we’ve received and is refining preliminary route options that were shared in January. For the Marion to Mississippi River (MariBell) segment, we still anticipate proposing a route option that generally follows the existing 161‑kV corridor. After considering input received this spring and summer from landowners, local officials, state agencies and other stakeholders, we plan to develop a Route Permit application and submit it to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) this fall.
No. We’re still in the very early stages of this process, and nothing has been finalized. Right now, we’re focused on gathering input from landowners to help shape the final route that will be included in our application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). The MPUC ultimately determines whether the project is needed and, if so, the project’s final route for proposed transmission lines. The MPUC will thoroughly review all project information provided by the applicants and input from stakeholders, landowners and the general public before making its decisions. Their final decision typically takes 12–18 months. We encourage the public to stay involved throughout the process, so their perspective is considered.
This project benefits your community by enabling access to reliable electricity for homes, farms, and businesses—today and in the future. By strengthening the power system, it helps reduce the risk of outages during severe weather and times when electricity use is high. As the area grows and people use more electricity, the project’s additional capacity will help the system keep up with those needs. It also connects the region to more energy sources, which helps keep power flowing even if one source isn’t available. The project would also bring local benefits, including construction jobs and support for local businesses. Reliable electricity is important for farms, industries, and small businesses, and this investment helps support long-term economic stability in the community.
The transmission grid in the Upper Midwest is an interconnected system that ensures reliable electricity is delivered to customers. Gopher to Badger Link, PowerOn Midwest, and Mankato to Mississippi River all connect to existing substations on the transmission grid, including a common connection at the North Rochester substation, which will help maintain reliability as our region grows. Each project is developed independently and goes through a thorough regulatory review process.
Why is this project needed?
Electricity use across the region is expected to grow at unprecedented levels in the coming years, with peak demand on the hottest summer days and coldest winter nights reaching levels that the current system cannot support. This growth is being driven by new and expanding manufacturing, increased use of electricity in homes and businesses, advancing technologies, and the development of new industries. Studies show electricity demand is expected to grow by about 1–2 percent each year through the 2030s—more than the existing transmission system can accommodate.
To prepare for this growth, MISO and energy companies plan decades ahead to make sure electricity can reliably meet changing needs, and the Gopher to Badger Link is part of a broader effort across the Upper Midwest to modernize the grid. This new 765 kilovolt “backbone” transmission line will help the system adapt as older power plants retire and new energy resources come online. While today’s grid delivers electricity more than 99% of the time thanks to past investments, new infrastructure is needed to maintain that level of reliability, meet rising energy demand and support continued economic growth as the region’s energy system grows and changes.
The electricity carried on the transmission lines that are proposed in this region will connect to substations and then on to the lower voltage systems that connect to homes and businesses throughout the region, including southern and southeast Minnesota where the project is being developed. Specific power flows vary daily (and even hour by hour) depending on customer needs throughout the region, and there are times when power generated in Minnesota will be used both in the state or exported out of state, such as into Wisconsin where the line will continue. At other times, we expect energy to import into Minnesota depending on plant and generation availability and the amount of electricity customers may need at any one time.
No. The need for this project is based on projected growth in electricity use across the region, which is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. These forecasts reflect growth in electric use from homes, businesses, manufacturing, and new technologies, but do not include potential growth from data centers. If the data center industry does expand in the region, overall electricity demand could increase substantially beyond current projections, further reinforcing the need for additional transmission capacity to maintain reliable electric service.
Public Involvement
Public involvement plays an important role in identifying the best locations for new transmission lines. We are committed to providing multiple opportunities for landowners and community members to learn about the project, ask questions, and share local knowledge that can help guide route development. Your input on environmental sensitivities, land use, and community considerations helps our team better understand potential challenges and opportunities. We encourage you to attend an open house , review the available project materials, and contact our team any time with questions or feedback.
Design and Construction
For the North Rochester to Marion Segment, we will be building a new 765 kV transmission line. For the Maribell Segment, we anticipate following an existing transmission corridor as much as possible. However, the existing lines in this corridor were built to carry lower voltages and cannot support a 765 kV line. As a result, those existing structures will need to be replaced with new structures designed to safely and reliably carry the higher voltage.
Our goal is to reduce impacts on the environment, farmland and wildlife as much as possible. As routes are refined, the project team will work closely with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and other state and federal agencies to understand and address potential effects on wildlife, natural resources, and protected lands. The Route Permit application will carefully review these potential impacts and describe steps that will be taken during construction to minimize them. This includes evaluating impacts to farmland and outlining measures to avoid, reduce or repair construction effects on agricultural land through a draft Agricultural Impact Mitigation Plan. As part of the review process, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will also prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will examine potential impacts to agriculture, including livestock operations. Learn more about agriculture and transmission lines.
The project is proposed to use steel lattice structures for the transmission line. See what the structures could look like in each segment.
765 kV technology was identified in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) planning process as the preferred solution for the region. This analysis showed that a 765 kV transmission line can carry as much power as six 345 kV single circuit lines— minimizing the land needed by as much as 70-80%. Learn more about this technology.
Transmission lines are generally safe. These lines are designed, built and operated using strict safety standards and best practices established by state and federal agencies and the National Electric Safety Code. Across the United States, there are more than 500,000 miles of transmission lines and millions of miles of distribution lines already in service, safely delivering electricity to homes and businesses every day. Electric and magnetic fields associated with these lines have been studied for decades there is no causal link between EMF and negative health effects. We include resources from the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society in our fact sheet.
Get Involved
Community feedback is essential at every stage, so we encourage you to stay engaged throughout the process.
