Dakota Electric Association’s board of directors voted on Thursday, July 29, to approve the plan presented by Great River Energy, its wholesale power supplier, to sell Coal Creek Station generation plant in Bismarck, North Dakota, and the associated high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line to Rainbow Energy Center, LLC and Nexus Line, LLC respectively.
The plan to sell the generation plant avoids the need to close the plant, which was proposed last year after years of substantial losses. By selling the plant and HVDC line, Great River Energy will save an estimated $130 million in member costs versus closing and decommissioning the plant, which will benefit Dakota Electric members.
Dakota Electric is one of 28 Great River Energy member-owner distribution cooperatives who had to vote on the plan. The final vote will be conducted by the Great River Energy Board of Directors on Friday, July 30. If the sale is approved, further regulatory and financial benchmarks will need to be met before it is finalized.
“For Dakota Electric’s board, the question has been what is best for our members while balancing rates, reliability and environmental concerns,” Board Chair Jerry Pittman said. “Great River Energy
has made and continues to make huge strides on carbon reduction. This plan continues moving them significantly in that direction.”
Information about Great River Energy and the sale can be found on Dakota Electric’s website in the newsroom under the “Power supply in transition” announcement.
