Montana to get new electrical transmission line, thanks to Tester-backed infrastructure law
The U.S. Department of Energy approved a $700 million grant to the Montana Department of Commerce out of funds from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Montana will receive a new 415-mile power transmission line, increasing its electrical grid capability, thanks to a federal Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program grant. The $700 million project will come out of funds approved in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The bipartisan infrastructure package, which boosted federal investment in roads, bridges, water systems, broadband, and power grid resiliency, was passed in 2021 with the support of Montana Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.
Republican Sen. Steve Daines opposed the law, and GOP Rep. Matt Rosendale voted no, objecting to the cost and claiming it contained wasteful spending provisions.
On Aug. 6, the U.S. Department of Energy announced several electrical grid grants, including one for the North Plains Connector Project, overseen by the Montana Department of Commerce in collaboration with the North Dakota Transmission Authority. Along with a similar line in New York, the release stated, the Montana-North Dakota line will increase grid capacity and contribute to the development of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s wind resources.
“Montana’s families and small businesses deserve a safe and reliable power grid that keeps pace with our state’s growing needs — and the North Plains Connector project represents a vital investment in our power grid that will benefit our state for years to come,” Tester said in a statement. “This project will create good-paying jobs in Eastern Montana, protect our energy grid from natural disaster, and expand our energy portfolio to lower energy costs for Montanans and ensure our economy remains competitive against foreign adversaries like China. I’m proud to have secured this funding, and I will keep working to ensure this project is completed effectively and efficiently.”
According to the project’s website, the North Plains Connector will create up to 500 construction jobs, along with a permanent maintenance workforce.
Montana’s Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte lauded the grant in a press release: “Access to a steady supply of affordable and reliable energy is critical for communities across Montana and the United States. Through this investment, we’re upgrading and modernizing Montana’s electrical transmission infrastructure to power our homes, schools, and businesses.”
Tester, who was part of the bipartisan group of senators that negotiated the 2021 package, has previously announced other investments in Montana secured through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts to expand broadband internet access and to protect the energy grid against extreme weather and wildfires.
