Heitkamp Announces Major Federal Loan for Electrical Infrastructure Improvements in North Dakota

Press Release

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced a more than $29 million federal loan for Central Power Electric Cooperative in North Dakota, supporting the state's growing electrical demand and making critical infrastructural improvements to enable the power provider to keep pace with increased demands.

Central Power's electrical grid is nearing its capacity because of the massive population growth throughout the state which has quickly increased the number of people using electricity. This loan will enable the company to increase its output, better serve its growing customers, and reduce the likelihood of electrical disruptions in the future because its capacity won't be so stretched.

The loan guarantee, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) rural utilities program, will specifically be used to build a new substation, create 56 miles of new power lines, and provide needed upgrades to existing facilities in north-central North Dakota. Central Power currently provides electricity to more than 43,000 member-owners for their farms, homes, businesses, and pasture wells in 25 counties across central and southeastern North Dakota. Heitkamp Chairs the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth and Energy Innovation which oversees the Rural Utilities Service at USDA. As part of her work crafting, debating, and passing the Farm Bill, Heitkamp worked to make sure that rural electric cooperatives are able to access needed financing to meet the electrical needs of rural customers in North Dakota and throughout the country.

"North Dakota has recently experienced rapid population and economic growth and we need to make sure we have the necessary resources to keep pace," said Heitkamp. "Our families and businesses must continue to have reliable power, and this loan will help Central Power -- which is being pushed to its limit -- to provide electricity where it's needed. By making crucial investments in our electrical infrastructure and upgrading existing equipment and systems, companies such as Central Power will be able to handle expected growth and demand in the coming years, and continue powering North Dakota and rural America for generations to come."

Heitkamp has long been a supporter of making worthwhile investments and improvements to North Dakota's electrical infrastructure, and has worked to assist Central Power in overcoming regulatory hurdles associated with the project. In a March meeting with representatives from Central Power, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Heitkamp discussed efforts surrounding Central Power's proposed expansion of transmission paths and expressed her strong support for the project.

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