The legal fight over the proposed Jamestown-to-Ellendale transmission line is now before the North Dakota Supreme Court.
The North Dakota Monitor reported on the arguments Justices heard Tuesday from landowners and townships challenging an earlier Public Service Commission decision that found the JETx line is needed.
The appeal centers on a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Opponents argue the PSC used the wrong process, did not give affected communities enough direct notice, and denied them a meaningful chance to contest whether the line serves the public interest.
Otter Tail Power, Montana-Dakota Utilities, and the PSC say the process was proper. A district court previously ruled the appeal was filed too late.
The 345-kilovolt line would run about 90 miles from Jamestown to Ellendale, crossing Stutsman, LaMoure, and Dickey counties.
The Supreme Court will now deliberate. A ruling could affect the regulatory path for JETx, even as the PSC separately considers the project’s route permit.
Read the full reporting from Mary Steurer at NorthDakotaMonitor.com.
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