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Design Element

Michigan’s Future Grid: Long Range Transmission Plan Projects

Project Background

Responding to the needs of the changing energy landscape, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the grid planning organization that includes Michigan, has devoted several years of an intensive, collaborative effort to develop a Long-Range Transmission Plan (LRTP) to build needed high-voltage transmission infrastructure across the region. ITC was actively involved with this process and advocated for the LRTP projects.

Michigan Projects

With an estimated investment of $850 million, these Michigan projects are strategically engineered to improve grid reliability and resiliency, support the state’s economic development efforts and enable the safe and reliable movement of power to our communities.

(see Project Profiles to the right for additional details)

Helix-Hiple

Approximately 55 miles of new 345 kilovolts (kV) lines will be constructed from northern Indiana to a new ITC substation, named Helix located southwest of Lansing. This will be the first new interstate connection to Michigan’s transmission system in nearly 50 years.

Nelson Road-Oneida

ITC will build approximately 40 miles of new 345kV transmission lines from the Oneida substation in Oneida Township to the Nelson Road substation in New Haven Township.

ABOUT ITC

ITC, through its subsidiaries ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC), owns and maintains more than 9,100 circuit miles of high-voltage electric lines and 392 transmission substations throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

ABOUT MISO

As an independent, non-profit Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) acts as an “air traffic controller” for the regional grid with the mission of working collaboratively with electricity stakeholders across 15 US states and Manitoba. Forty-five million people depend on MISO to generate and transmit the right amount of electricity every minute of every day – reliably, dependably and cost-effectively.

ABOUT LRTP

In 2022, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) initiated a project known as Long-Range Transmission Planning (LRTP).  As an independent, non-profit Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), MISO acts as an “air traffic controller” for the regional grid.

MISO’s LRTP is a group of four planned phases, or tranches, with Tranche 1 representing a $10.3 billion investment of 18 transmission projects in MISO’s Midwest Subregion and includes projects in Michigan. Overall, the LRTP projects are the largest portfolio of long-range transmission projects in RTO history, providing a roadmap for future transmission investment across the MISO footprint.

FAQs

Why are these projects needed?

These projects are strategically engineered to improve Michigan’s grid reliability, enhance grid resilience to better withstand extreme weather, expand access to generation resources for electric consumers by reducing transmission system congestion, and improve the distribution of lower-cost energy resources, including renewables.

Why do we need more transmission lines coming into Michigan?

The lines will allow electricity to move both ways – into Michigan and out of Michigan. When Michigan needs additional power, it can draw upon power assets from neighboring states. Conversely, Michigan will have the opportunity to export excess power, when available and needed. As the energy landscape continues to change, Michigan’s ability to import power will improve reliability, and deliver widespread economic benefits as power producers transition to new energy sources.

How will ITC Michigan work with landowners?

Landowners play an important role in hosting the electric grid infrastructure on their property, which ensures Michigan residents have the energy they need to live, work and play.

ITC is committed to transparent, honest, and frequent communications with landowners. We work together throughout the design and construction process to minimize impacts to their properties.

I received a notice that the line will be crossing my property – what are next steps?

ITC will utilize professional land consultants, Universal Field Services (UFS), to assist with the right-of-way easement acquisition for this project. A representative from UFS will be contacting you in the coming weeks to discuss the proposed easement agreement and answer any questions that you may have about the project. As our representative, UFS is committed to honest, respectful, and fair negotiations with each landowner. We encourage you to call UFS on the toll-free number 855-482-5787 (855-ITC-LRTP), or you can email UFS with your questions at ITCLRTP@ufsrw.com. 

I received a notice that the line will be crossing my property – what are next steps?

ITC will utilize professional land consultants, Universal Field Services (UFS), to assist with the right-of-way easement acquisition for this project. If your property is on the recommended route, a representative from UFS will be contacting you in the coming weeks to discuss the proposed easement agreement and answer any questions that you may have about the project. As our representative, UFS is committed to honest, respectful, and fair negotiations with each landowner. We encourage you to call UFS on the toll-free number 855-482-5787 (855-ITC-LRTP), or you can email UFS with your questions at ITCLRTP@ufsrw.com. 

Project Schedule

Open Houses/Public MeetingsHeld October 2023. See “Additional Information” to the right for more project information.
Helix SubstationConstruction is scheduled to begin Q4 2025 and be completed Q3 2026.
Nelson Road-Oneida transmission linesTransmission line construction is scheduled to begin Q1 2028 and be completed Q4 2028
Helix-Hiple transmission linesTransmission line construction is scheduled to begin Q1 2029 and be completed Q3 2030.