Welcomes first project to connect Montana’s east and west power grids

Colstrip, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte on Oct 24th, joined community leaders in Colstrip to celebrate a $700 million investment in bolstering affordable, reliable energy in Montana through the North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation project.

The project includes the development of the first high voltage transmission line between Montana’s east and west power grids.

“Access to affordable and reliable energy is top priority for this administration, especially at a time when Montanans have faced skyrocketing energy bills due to inflation,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I’m proud to stand alongside our partners today to secure a stronger electric grid and future for the State of Montana.”

In August, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded the State of Montana up to $700 million to enhance power grid reliability in Montana and North Dakota. The funds, made available by the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, are aimed at ensuring communities across Montana have access to affordable, reliable energy.

“The dedication of the partners here today are champions and cheerleaders for the Colstrip community and I am proud the department has been a part of this,” Montana Department of Commerce Director Paul Green said. “My team has worked tirelessly with our public and private partners to expand affordable, reliable energy in Montana.”

The North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation project will connect three regional control entities: the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), and Southwest Power Pool (SPP). According to DOE, the project will create up to 3,800 megawatts of new capacity and increase transfer capacity between WECC and the Eastern Interconnection in Montana and North Dakota by 1,400 percent.

In July, the Montana Department of Commerce announced it had been awarded $47.5 million from the DOE for projects in Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon counties, as well as the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, to help mitigate the impact of construction of the North Plains Connector transmission line. Eligible projects will include infrastructure updates, such as roads, water, sewers, emergency services, and other projects related to workforce and infrastructure development.

“The partnerships that we have built with Custer, Rosebud, and Fallon counties, the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, the state of Montana and North Dakota, as well as the federal government, are key to ensuring long term success,” said Jim Atchison, Executive Director of Southeastern Montana Development Corporation. “This is more than a transmission line, this is jobs and opportunities and builds on our rich history as an energy leader.”

Expanding access to affordable, reliable energy and embracing an all-of-the-above approach to energy is a top priority for Gov. Gianforte.

Recently, the governor welcomed a $1 billion investment at the Clearwater Wind Project in Miles City.

In May, Gov. Gianforte joined Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, to call out the Biden-Harris administration’s attempts to shut down Colstrip. New rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency threaten to force the early retirement of the facility, costing consumers over $1.1 billion over the next 20 years.