Utilities of North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation Consortium Applaud the U.S. Department of Energy for Historic Investment in Interregional Transmission Through $700 Million Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership Grant

HELENA, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation Consortium expresses its gratitude to the U.S. Department of Energy for its support in enhancing the resilience of our electric system. The $700 million grant from the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program will help reduce costs for customers and support the development of North Plains Connector, a groundbreaking electric infrastructure project. Building large-scale linear infrastructure is a complex challenge. Reliably meeting the increasing demand for electricity while ensuring resilience of the electric system, is a dual challenge. By working together, we aim to ensure reliability and resilience for customers across multiple regions, providing the energy needed today and desired tomorrow.

- ALLETE Inc., Avista, Minnkota Power Cooperative, Montana-Dakota Utilities, NorthWestern Energy, Otter Tail Power Company, Portland General Electric, Puget Sound Energy

About North Plains Connector: North Plains Connector is an approximately 415 mile and up to 525 kilovolt high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line connecting the U.S. eastern and western electric grids in Montana and North Dakota. North Plains Connector will be open to all sources of electrical power generation and will be able to transport power in either direction along the line. For more information, visit www.northplainsconnector.com.