MDUResources Group Inc. has thrown its hat into the ring on an estimated $12 billion project that would develop a "green"energy transmission grid through seven states.

ITCHoldings Corp. proposed the transmission project, called Green Power Express, that would carry power east from locations like a proposed 1,200-turbine wind center in Minot.

The transmission line would be a high-voltage, 765-kilovolt line with the capacity to carry 12,000 megawatts of electricity. It would have 3,000 miles of lines through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana.

There is no proposed route for this seven-state project; early aggressive schedules indicated ITCofficials hoped to get in the ground as early as 2011.

North Dakota and South Dakota have extensive capacities for wind energy production, but limited outlets to transmit the energy out of state. Rick Matteson with MDUResources Group Inc. said the proposal was a good fit for the energy, construction and utility resources company, based in Bismarck.

Officials at MDUResources are still determining the definitive agreement with ITC, which plans to hold a 51 percent interest in the project. ITC continues to look for partners, and it is unclear at this time how much of the project MDU Resources will invest in.

They will, however, play a strong role in developing and promoting the transmission system, Matteson said.

- Crystal R. Reid