MREA: Gopher to Badger Link Supports Grid of the Future

July 10, 2026

The Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) has posted about the need and benefits of the Gopher to Badger Link transmission line project in its news and advocacy blog. As the statewide association, MREA represents electric cooperatives in the state of Minnesota, including Dairyland member cooperatives - People's, MiEnergy and Freeborn Mower.

Dairyland Power Cooperative is developing the MariBell segment of the Gopher to Badger Link project, which will extend from Marion, Minn., to the Mississippi River. This segment consists of replacing an existing 161 kV transmission line with a new 765/161 kV double-circuit transmission line to ensure reliable power to homes, farms and businesses across the region, strengthen the electric grid and facilitate access to new energy sources. Learn more about the MariBell Transmission Project.

Blog post: Gopher to Badger Link: The Grid of the Future  - MREA