WBI Energy Transmission has started construction of its Valley Expansion Project, which would for the first time bring natural gas to several towns in eastern North Dakota and parts of western Minnesota [CP17-257]. The project, which is designed to provide about 40,000 Dth/d of firm transportation service on a bi-directional basis between an interconnection with Viking Gas Transmission Co. and the proposed Mapleton Compressor Station, was authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in February. Bismarck, ND-based WBI has said it received significant interest from its customers in the region, which has driven plans for the $55-60 million project.