CHICAGO, Jan.

Minnesota Power, an Allete company, has announced its intent to buy a transmission line as part of its strategy to develop wind energy in order to meet a state mandate requiring 25% renewable energy supply by 2025.

Minnesota Power's plan to harness wind energy from the plains of North Dakota and transmit it to customers took an important step forward with the signing of an agreement to purchase an interstate transmission line and phase out a long-term contract to buy coal-generated electricity.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has approved, effective today, an interim rate increase for retail customers of Minnesota Power, an ALLETE company (NYSE: ALE).

By LAUREN DONOVAN A Minnesota utility said it's planning its own mega wind farm in Oliver County, meaning Oliver and Morton counties could some day be home to as many as 1,000 new wind turbines across the hilltops.