Basin Nixes Killdeer Substation

KILLDEER, N.D. (AP) — Basin Electric Power Cooperative is scrapping plans to build an electrical substation in the Killdeer Mountains area of western North Dakota.

But the utility is still planning to build a transmission line in the area of a historical 1864 battle between Army soldiers and American Indians.

Basin wants to build the 200-mile line to deliver more electricity to the Bakken oil fields. State regulators held a hearing in Killdeer on Wednesday about the proposal. Public Service Commission President Brian Kalk says it could be two months before the group makes a decision. The project also needs federal approval.

The proposed $300 million project comes at a time when an alliance is trying to protect the Killdeer Mountains region from oil drilling.