BILLINGS, Mont. — Two major energy infrastructure projects are advancing across eastern Montana, bringing the prospect of billions of dollars in construction investment, new jobs and payments to rural landowners while raising questions about property rights, environmental impacts and the future of regional energy development.
The North Plains Connector, a proposed high-voltage electricity transmission line linking Montana and North Dakota, recently reached a significant federal funding milestone involving nearly $700 million in Department of Energy support.
Meanwhile, Wyoming-based Bridger Pipeline is pursuing a roughly 650-mile crude oil pipeline that would cross agricultural land in eastern Montana before reaching an oil transportation hub in Wyoming.
The projects serve different purposes but underscore Montana’s increasingly important position in North American energy infrastructure.
North Plains Connector Advances With Federal Support
The North Plains Connector would construct approximately 422 miles of high-voltage transmission infrastructure between the Colstrip area in southeastern Montana and connection points near Center and St. Anthony, North Dakota.
The project is designed to connect portions of the nation’s eastern and western electrical grids, allowing electricity to move between regions when demand increases or supplies become constrained.
Federal support through the Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program has reached a major milestone, with the funding award to the Montana Department of Commerce finalized in October.
The broader federal funding package totals nearly $700 million, although the portion designated for the North Plains Connector itself is approximately $605 million.
The project represents an estimated $6 billion investment in Montana and North Dakota, according to its developers.
Supporters say the transmission line would improve electrical reliability, expand access to generation resources and allow power to move more efficiently between markets.
The additional transmission capacity could also help accommodate growing electricity demand from industrial development, data centers and other large energy users.
In August, the Department of Energy and Montana Department of Environmental Quality completed a final environmental impact statement for the project, marking an important step toward securing the remaining approvals.
Construction is currently expected to begin in 2028, with commercial operations targeted for 2032.
The project could generate construction employment, additional local tax revenue and payments to landowners along its route.
However, the proposed transmission corridor would also cross agricultural and ranching properties, requiring easement negotiations and raising questions about land use, construction disturbances and the long-term placement of electrical infrastructure.
Bridger Pipeline Proposes 650-Mile Crude Oil Route
A second major project would carry crude oil from the Canadian border through eastern Montana to Guernsey, Wyoming, a major pipeline and crude oil transportation hub.
Bridger Pipeline Expansion LLC has proposed constructing a 36-inch underground pipeline spanning approximately 647 miles.
The pipeline would connect with Canadian oil transportation infrastructure and initially transport approximately 550,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to federal project documents.
The proposed Montana route crosses nine counties: Phillips, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, Richland, Wibaux, Fallon and Carter.
The project, estimated to cost approximately $2 billion, would run through a region dominated by farming, ranching and energy production.
President Donald Trump granted the project a presidential permit in April, authorizing construction and operation of pipeline facilities at the Canadian border.
The permit does not eliminate the need for other state and federal environmental approvals or private land agreements.
Bridger’s proposal remains under review by the Bureau of Land Management and Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
The company has identified a preferred route and has begun working with landowners to secure access for surveys and potential easements.
According to an October report by Montana Free Press, approximately 450 landowners along the preferred route have received payments for survey access.
Some landowners see the project as an opportunity to generate additional income during a difficult period for agriculture.
Drought, unpredictable weather and fluctuating commodity prices have placed financial pressure on farms and ranches across eastern Montana.
Pipeline easement payments could provide a substantial one-time source of revenue for property owners whose land is crossed by the project.
For others, the proposed route raises concerns about construction damage, soil restoration, pipeline safety and restrictions on future land use.
The project has also drawn scrutiny from environmental organizations concerned about transporting Canadian oil sands crude and the potential consequences of a spill.
Montana regulators withdrew a previously issued permitting waiver in July following objections involving the information required in the company’s application.
Bridger must complete additional regulatory requirements before construction can proceed.
The company has indicated that construction could begin in 2027 if the necessary approvals and land agreements are secured.
Energy Investment Brings Economic Opportunities and Trade-Offs
Both projects would require extensive work across rural Montana, creating opportunities for construction contractors, equipment suppliers, transportation companies and local businesses.
They also present similar questions for landowners who may receive compensation in exchange for granting access to their property.
Unlike an outright land sale, an easement generally allows a utility or pipeline operator to use a defined portion of private property for infrastructure while the landowner retains ownership, subject to negotiated restrictions.
The financial terms and long-term obligations can vary substantially from one agreement to another.
Eastern Montana has previously experienced the economic uncertainty surrounding major energy projects.
The cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline in 2021 eliminated a proposed oil transportation route that would have crossed portions of the region, disappointing some landowners and businesses that had anticipated construction activity and easement payments.
Bridger’s proposal has renewed those discussions, particularly in communities where agricultural income remains unpredictable.
The North Plains Connector represents a different type of investment, focused on modernizing the electric grid rather than transporting crude oil.
Its supporters argue that expanding transmission capacity is necessary to support future economic growth, maintain reliability and make better use of electricity generated across the region.
Both projects remain dependent on additional approvals and development work before major construction can begin.
For Montana, the developments illustrate the growing importance of energy transportation infrastructure to the state’s rural economy.
The ultimate impact will depend on the projects’ final routes, construction schedules, negotiated landowner agreements and the ability of developers to meet regulatory requirements.