Alberta’s energy minister said the province will work to restore the 600‑megawatt[1] Montana‑Alberta power line to full capacity. The goal, announced in a briefing on Thursday, calls for the line to operate at its design limit whenever reasonable.

U.S. trade officials have labeled the reduced flow a trade irritant, arguing it hampers cross‑border electricity markets — a concern raised by the administration’s top trade representative last year. Alberta’s move could smooth a lingering dispute and reinforce the energy partnership that underpins both economies. Analysts note that resolving the bottleneck may also open the door for future joint projects in renewable integration. The province hopes the gesture will demonstrate goodwill ahead of upcoming trade negotiations.

The Montana‑Alberta intertie spans roughly 300 miles, linking Alberta’s grid with Montana’s transmission system. When fully operational, it can transfer up to 600 megawatts[1] of electricity, enough to power about 400,000 homes. Since 2019, portions of the line have operated below capacity due to maintenance disputes and regulatory delays. These constraints have limited the ability of Canadian generators to export surplus wind and solar power to U.S. markets.

Neudorf said the province will pursue restoration “whenever reasonable,” acknowledging that technical and environmental reviews may affect timing. No specific deadline was set, but officials indicated progress will be reported quarterly to the provincial cabinet. The government will coordinate with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Montana’s Public Service Commission to align permitting processes. Funding for the upgrades is expected to come from existing energy infrastructure budgets, avoiding new taxes.

U.S. trade representative Katherine Tai, who said the issue was raised in 2025, said the announcement “addresses a legitimate concern for American consumers.” Canadian industry groups said the step could enhance market access for Alberta’s clean‑energy projects. Environmental advocates said restoration must meet strict emission standards to avoid offsetting climate goals. The next joint U.S.-Canada energy forum, slated for late summer, will likely assess the intertie’s performance and explore additional cross‑border capacity expansions. Stakeholders will monitor the project’s timeline closely.

“Alberta will restore the line to full capacity whenever reasonable.”

Restoring the 600‑MW Montana‑Alberta intertie signals Alberta’s willingness to address a specific U.S. trade grievance, potentially smoothing broader U.S.-Canada energy relations and paving the way for future cross‑border infrastructure cooperation.