Bob Cupit of the Utilities Commission’s permitting unit said those agencies eventually will have to show why they’ve deemed those routes preferable.

Cupit said the eventual route chosen by the commission will be one that minimizes disruption and impact on the environment and the public.

“The goal is to make it fit the landscape and human side of things as much as possible,” he said.

A series of public meetings all along the South Dakota/Minnesota routing areas will be held this spring, and people can suggest other route alternatives at those gatherings.

A decision on a route is expected to be made in December with line construction starting in 2011.