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Building the Bridge for Reliability

Building the Bridge for Reliability

The safe, reliable, and cost-competitive delivery of electricity to consumers in the Upper Midwest relies on a strong backbone of transmission lines and dependable power plants. As more energy resources are added to the grid and electricity demand rises, our aging generation and transmission system needs to be upgraded. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) – our regional grid operator – recognized this need over a decade ago and began planning for the future with long-range transmission planning. Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC) – PEC’s wholesale power provider – has focused on a diversified generation portfolio with lower carbon intensity that is still reliable when our members need electricity the most.

 

Long-Range Transmission Planning

MISO named Dairyland a joint developer and co-owner for multiple projects in its Long-Range Transmission Plan (LRTP), which will upgrade and expand an interstate transmission corridor needed to bridge growing energy demand.

By participating in one of the largest transmission buildouts in history, Dairyland is supporting regional reliability with investments to help keep electricity rates stable, support rural economic growth, and enable greater access to diverse energy resources for decades to come. Because of their involvement, Dairyland receives a guaranteed rate of return, which we are already seeing benefits from on our monthly wholesale power bills. This financial benefit will continue for the life of the lines and helps us keep our rates to members stable.

Project highlights:

  • MariBell Transmission Project: A 140-mile, 765 kV/161 kV line between Marion, MN, and Bell Center, WI. (The Minnesota portion of the MariBell project is part of the Gopher to Badger Link project.) An interactive open house for the MariBell Transmission Project is now available on the project website. Users can see the materials that were presented at open houses and leave comments directly on the interactive map for specific routing concerns.
  • Alma-Blair (Wis.) Transmission Project: Part of the first round of MISO’s LRTP projects, Alma-Blair is a 345-kV line unanimously approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in February 2026. Along with the Wabasha Relocation Project (relocating an existing 161-kV transmission line), these power delivery investments strengthen grid reliability, support diverse energy integration, and ensure continued service to homes, schools, hospitals and businesses across the Upper Midwest.
  • Cardinal-Hickory Creek: In-service September 2024, this 345-kV line spans 102 miles from Dubuque County, IA, to Dane County, WI. At the time Cardinal-Hickory Creek achieved commercial operation, more than 160 renewable energy projects – enough to power millions of homes – depended on its construction. 

 

Diversified Generation Portfolio

Dairyland’s power supply is grounded in an “always available strategy” – maintaining dependable “baseload” generation while leveraging grants to invest in diverse resources. In 2025 and 2026, Dairyland acquired three natural gas facilities in Illinois, totaling nearly 1,270 MW of additional natural gas capacity. These facilities – Rocky Road, Elgin, and Elwood energy centers – are strategic investments in essential capacity resources to support the delivery of dependable energy.

Federal grants also support strategic goals, including the planned addition of up to 1,000 MW of power purchase agreements (PPAs) from renewable energy. The $595 million Empowering Rural America (New ERA) grant helped Dairyland add a 210 MW PPA from Buffalo Ridge Wind II (South Dakota). The Buffalo Ridge II Wind Farm generates enough electricity to power 70,000 homes. Next online from the New ERA-supported portfolio will be the 149 MW Badger State Solar facility, which is under construction in southern Wisconsin and expected to achieve commercial operation later in 2026.

In Wisconsin, Dairyland’s John P. Madgett (JPM) Generating Station, RockGen Energy Center, and Elk Mound Combustion Turbines continue to bring value to members. This year, Dairyland’s Flambeau Hydro Station is celebrating its 75th anniversary of providing clean, dispatchable energy. 

Together with ongoing exploration of advanced nuclear technologies, energy storage and prioritizing grid resilience, these investments are an important component of Dairyland’s commitment to long-term environmental stewardship. 

 

More information