Basin Electric eyeing nearly $4 billion power plant in northwest North Dakota

Originally published by KFYR-TV: https://www.kfyrtv.com/2025/06/30/basin-electric-eyeing-nearly-4-billion-power-plant-northwest-north-dakota/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMmuuVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgQzfsdytbDuqpSPuC8g8u4TU6aNGg1akPRQRvdSjEs9GWPBH1TTBEP5giS2_aem_0orYsxpCs8fdn-osfyewJg

By Michael Anthony

Published: Jun. 30, 2025

WILLISTON, N.D. (KUMV) - Several large-scale industrial projects are coming to northwest North Dakota. With them comes the need for more power.

Officials with Basin Electric Power Cooperative met with the Public Service Commission in Williston on Monday to discuss how they plan to keep up with demand going forward.

With several planned data centers, oil and gas-related projects and potential residential growth in the region, making sure the lights stay on is important. Officials at Basin Electric said the proposed Bison Generation Station between Epping and Ray will help keep up with an ever-growing need for electricity.

“This project will significantly increase Basin Electric’s ability to supply energy capacity in the local area,” said Basin Electric Power Supply Planning Manager Benjamin Hertz.

Fueled by natural gas, the facility will use two generators to create more than 1,400 megawatts of power. For comparison, that capacity would be enough to cover the Bismarck and Mandan areas four times over. Some said it’s beneficial by creating new jobs.

“I think the tax implications are enormous as well as the potential for adding enrollment to our school district,” said Kris Kuehn, superintendent of the Nesson School District in Ray.

The cooperative is also promising benefits locally.

“Once the plant is operational, Basin Electric will pay taxes to Williams County, including a production tax per megawatt based on how much electricity is generated annually and a capacity tax per megawatt based on the power plant’s capacity,” said Chris Bauer, project manager.

Meanwhile, some expressed their concern about how this would impact prices, though the Public Service Commission does not have jurisdiction over rural electric cooperative rates.

“Basin has yet to provide a transparent financial risk assessment to co-op members, which raises red flags about how this project aligns with its duty to protect member interests,” said Jody DeLong, with N.D. Native Vote.

Commissioners will decide on whether they allow the project to move forward at a later date.

Pending approval, officials said the project will be fully operational in 2030.