BISMARCK (AP) -- Bismarck-based Basin Electric Power Cooperative says its new $40 million transmission line in southwestern North Dakota is operational.
The 230-kilovolt line runs between substations near Belfield and Rhame, a distance of 74 miles.
The North Dakota Transmission Authority through the Bank of North Dakota financed $25 million of the project cost. The authority was created in 2005 to aid in the development of new transmission lines in the state, to help deal with an increasing demand for electricity.
Project coordinator Duey Marthaller says the new line will help carry power and also improve the reliability of the transmission system in the region.
Basin Electric generates and transmits electricity to 135 member rural electric systems in nine states.
