GROTON, S.D. (AP) - Basin Electric Power Cooperative has started construction of a second power plant that's fired by natural gas near Groton.

The plant will produce 95 megawatts of electricity and is nearly identical to a plant that was put into operation at the same site last summer.

Basin Electric, which is headquartered in Bismarck, N.D., expects to have the new unit operational by June 2008.