ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Commerce has confirmed that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will honor its $464 million grant to Minnesota and six other states to fund major electric grid updates across the Midwest.  

The Joint Targeted Interconnection Queue (JTIQ) grant, awarded in 2023 through the DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program, will help fund five high-voltage transmission line projects across Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. The projects are intended to strengthen the regional electric grid, improve reliability during periods of high demand, and help reduce long-term costs for consumers. 

While federal funding has been a major concern over the last year and a half, the DOE has decided to proceed with the JTIQ grant to the Minnesota Department of Commerce and regional grid operators Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Southwest Power Pool (SPP). Those organizations, along with other partners, are responsible for managing the flow of electricity across much of the Midwest. 

Federal officials estimate the grant will help unlock more than $1 billion in additional private investment and provide communities across the region with economic and infrastructure benefits. 

“Minnesotans depend on reliable and affordable electricity every day — during summer heat, winter storms and everything in between,” said Department of Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold. “This funding helps strengthen the grid that families and businesses rely on while reducing costs that could otherwise fall more heavily on consumers. It is an important investment in the long-term reliability and affordability of our energy system.” 

Commerce officials are working with the DOE on next steps. Project partners are continuing work on their portions of the broader transmission initiative. 

The transmission upgrades are designed to help the grid handle growing electricity demand, move power more efficiently across the region and make it easier to connect new sources of electricity to the system. Officials say the projects will help improve reliability during extreme weather and periods of high energy use while supporting long-term economic growth across the Midwest. 

“SPP appreciates our continued collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Commerce and MISO to advance the JTIQ transmission portfolio,” said SPP Vice President of Engineering Casey Cathey. “The need for partnerships of this kind continues to grow, as our industry faces new and evolving challenges that require innovative steps to modernize critical infrastructure. These projects will strengthen reliability and deliver lasting benefits to communities in both SPP’s and MISO’s regions, and we’re grateful for the DOE’s support in helping make them a reality.” 

“The Department of Energy’s continued support reflects the importance of the JTIQ portfolio,” said Aubrey Johnson, MISO’s Vice President of System Planning. “MISO’s rapidly evolving power system requires forward-thinking approaches, and the strong partnership behind these transmission projects will create pathways for new generation to join the grid, strengthen reliability and deliver economic value for customers.” 

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Contact
Jen Longaecker | Media relations and Public Affairs Director
Minnesota Department of Commerce
news.commerce@state.mn.us