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DEQ Requests Comment on North Plains Connector Project

  • Jake Garcin
  • January 09 2026

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the period for public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the North Plains Connector Project.  The comment period is open until February 23, 2026.

The Draft EIS for the North Plains Connector Project analyzes potential environmental impacts from the project. North Plains Connector is a proposed 525 kilovolt (kV), high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) overhead transmission line that would provide 3,000 megawatts (MW) connecting the Western grid to Eastern states.

As proposed, the North Plains Connector Project extends approximately 420 miles near Colstrip, Mont., to two end points in North Dakota: one near Center, N.D., and the other near St. Anthony, N.D. The proposed project would also need to receive a Major Facility Siting Act Certificate of Compliance from Montana DEQ before construction begins in Montana.  

DEQ is seeking substantive public comments on the Draft EIS for the North Plains Connector Project. A substantive comment is relevant, fact-based, and specific and may offer insight, analysis, or constructive feedback on the draft document.  

Written comments can be mailed or emailed to DEQ or delivered at public meetings on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 from 5-7 p.m. The first of the meetings will be in-person at Custer County Event Center in Miles City and the second meeting will be virtual. Interested parties are invited to participate in the public meeting to learn more about the NPC project and DEQ’s environmental review process, as well as submit substantive written comments on the Draft EIS.

To read the Draft EIS for the North Plains Connector Project or learn how to submit a comment visit DEQ’s website. 

References and links in this press release may not work once public comment periods and documents are no longer active. Please submit an information request if you are looking for documents that are not available through the DEQ website.

Tags: MEPA, Energy and Press Release