Planned Gopher-to-Badger Link Addresses Regional Power Needs

Transmission line’s proposed route takes it across southern Fillmore and Houston counties

By John Torgrimson, January 20, 2026

Community members talk with utility staff at a Dairyland Power open house in Preston, Minnesota, reviewing poster displays about the proposed Gopher-to-Badger high-voltage transmission line project.

Dairyland Power hosted an open house on January 14 in Preston to familiarize the public about the proposed Gopher-to-Badger Link power transmission upgrade that would strengthen the electric grid, provide reliable power across the region, and facilitate access to new energy sources. (Photo by John Torgrimson)

PRESTON, MINN.—There was an ebb and flow of people attending the two-hour Dairyland Power Cooperative open house in Preston on the afternoon of January 14. They were there to learn about a proposed transmission line upgrade – called Gopher to Badger Link – that would create a new 765 kV (kilovolt) line running from Marion, south of Rochester, to the Mississippi River.

Dairyland Power is the wholesale electricity provider for MiEnergy Cooperative, which distributes electricity across southeastern Minnesota. MiEnergy is responsible for maintaining local distribution infrastructure and serving customers directly, while Dairyland generates and procures electricity and delivers it through high-voltage transmission lines into the region.

This new project is part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator Inc. (MISO) effort to build, what they call, a ‘transmission backbone’ across the Midwest. MISO is the electric grid operator and regional transmission planner for the central United States.

The Gopher to Badger Link Project is only a portion of a larger portfolio of projects that span across several states. The Gopher to Badger Link spans from the North Rochester Substation near Pine Island to the Mississippi River for Minnesota. MISO estimated a budget of $821 million for that segment in 2024.

Project responsibilities are divided between Xcel Energy and Dairyland: Xcel will develop 35 miles of 765kV transmission line from near Pine Island, near Rochester, to Marion; Dairyland will develop approximately 105 miles of line from Marion to the river, referred to in documents as the MariBell Transmission Segment.

Two utility representatives stand beside a display explaining a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission tower, showing height, width, spacing, and right-of-way details for the Gopher-to-Badger Link.

Dairyland staff Shawn Gregory (left) and Jacob LaDuke answered questions about the tower structure that would replace the existing transmission lines at the open house. (Photo by John Torgrimson)

The goals of the transmission project are to strengthen the electric grid, provide reliable electric power to homes, farms and businesses across the region, and facilitate access to new energy sources. The MariBell segment will follow an existing 165kV transmission corridor easement, by replacing utility standards with double circuit transmission towers that will host both 165kV and 765kV power lines.

A team of La Crosse-based Dairyland staff were on hand at the open house – one of seven the utility hosted in the region – to walk visitors through each step of the project, which may take up to 10 years to complete if approved (anticipated service activation is 2034). The open house was the first step in that process, focusing on information sharing and public engagement.

Dairyland provided several handouts to the public detailing route maps, transmission details, timelines and the permitting review process. Staff were posted at various stations to answer visitor questions about the project.

A Dairyland Power representative stands next to a large map showing proposed routing options for the Gopher-to-Badger transmission line from Marion, Minnesota, to the Mississippi River.

Eric Jacobson, a member of Dairyland’s communication team, is pictured next to a route map showing the MariBell segment southwest from Marion, and then east to the Mississippi River across the southern-most townships in Fillmore and Houston counties. (Photo by John Torgrimson)

Regulatory process

Eric Jacobson, Stakeholder Communications, Engagement and Key Projects Manager at Dairyland, said that the project is at the beginning of a multi-year regulatory process, starting with a Certificate of Need (CON) application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPCU). This regulatory action usually takes 12 to 18 months and involves preparing an Environmental Report to evaluate the potential human and environmental impacts of the overall project. The report is then made public and available for comment. The MPCU then makes a final decision on the Certificate of Need.

Once the CON is approved, the MPCU will create a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public review and comment. An EIS outlines how the proposed project will affect the environment, identifying potential negative impacts and possible mitigation measures. Input from Dairyland as well as stakeholders, landowners and the general public will help the MPCU develop a final EIS by reviewing available information before making a final Route Permit decision.

The regulatory process is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Timeline graphic outlining the Gopher-to-Badger Link development process from public engagement and permitting through construction, with anticipated in-service date in 2034.

The Gopher-to-Badger Link, if approved, will take nearly 10 years before construction is completed. (Source: Dairyland Power)

Transmission lines

The 765kV lines are capable of carrying large amounts of power over long distances. Jacobson reiterated that one of the goals of the project is to be able to access new energy sources.

“The increased transmission will allow access to alternative energy from wind farms in the Dakotas,” Jacobson said.

Dairyland intends to work with landowners and farmers from construction through operation to mitigate the impact the project may have on livestock, crops and pastures.

Illustrated comparison of proposed 765-kilovolt transmission structures, showing single-circuit and double-circuit steel lattice towers with labeled dimensions, spacing, and right-of-way width.

Tower descriptions for the transmission lines. (Source: Dairyland Power)

Transmission towers will replace existing power poles. Up to 200 feet high, and spaced 1200 to 1500 feet apart, the towers will carry both 161kV and 765 kV lines with a right-of-way of 250 feet. Existing transmission line easements will be used where possible, but in some cases Dairyland will negotiate with landowners for the right to construct, operate and maintain transmission structures on their land. The landowner would retain ownership and use of the land.

The transmission route will follow an existing transmission corridor. From Marion, the line goes southwest near Stewartville, Grand Meadow and Adams before heading east toward Harmony, Canton and Spring Grove. The link will hook up with operations in Wisconsin, thus the Gopher-to-Badger Link distinction.

Map of southeastern Minnesota showing study areas and proposed routes for the Gopher-to-Badger transmission line, including the Marion-to-Mississippi River MariBell segment and existing transmission corridors.

An interactive map of the Gopher-to-Badger Link is available on Dairyland’s website here. (Source: Dairyland)

Staying informed

There will be several opportunities over the next few years for the public to comment on the project – from the initial Certificate of Need to the Environmental Impact Statement by attending a public hearing, asking questions or making comments. Explore Dairyland’s interactive map for the project.

Subscribe to the Gopher to Badger Link newsletter here to receive email notifications on the status of this project.