Michigan’s Future Grid: Long Range Transmission Plan Projects

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. These projects are strategically engineered to improve Michigan’s grid reliability.

Recognizing these factors, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC or Commission) approved these projects, citing needs for reliability, capacity, and renewable resource integration (July 10, 2025 MPSC Order Case No. U-21471). You can find a link to the Order here. You can find a link to the MPSC docket here.

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.

The MPSC is the state board with authority to approve the location of certain new transmission lines. There is a state law (Public Act 30 of 1995) that requires METC to get approval from the MPSC for lines like this—lines that are greater than 5 miles in length and through which electricity is transferred at 345 kilovolts or more. 

On the Nelson Road to Oneida Project, the MPSC selected the Alternate Route. Because the MPSC approved only the Alternate Route, METC cannot construct the original route it proposed. According to the Commission Order, the MPSC selected the Alternate Route for a variety of reasons and based on the record evidence submitted by METC, Commission Staff, interested parties, and affected landowners. The Commission issued an Order that explains its reasoning, and if you would like to review the Order, we can provide you with a copy.

Yes. The Commission’s Order allowed METC to make minor modifications to the approved routes. A minor modification is a change to the placement of the transmission line, including pole transitions and centerline shifts. Landowners may request a minor modification. METC will consider minor modification requests from landowners, but can only accommodate a request if the minor modification if the minor modification is within 250 feet of the approved centerline for each project, which means the centerline can only shift a maximum of 150 feet in either direction, and the minor modification would only impact the property of a landowner that received notice of these proceedings. In addition to these criteria, METC reviews such minor modification requests to ensure that such modifications are reasonable and feasible based on various factors, including engineering, environmental, and social considerations.

Landowners can submit a request for a minor route modification by contacting:

• The Universal Field Services (“UFS”) land consultant assigned to your parcel. UFS land consultants have already/will provide you their contact information.

• The UFS hotline at 855-ITC-LRTP (855-482-5787) or emailing UFS at ITCLRTP@ufsrw.com.

There is a timeline for final design and construction of these projects, so we need to know about your request at your earliest convenience. Requests for minor modifications should be submitted to UFS by the following deadlines:

Nelson Road to Oneida Project 

• Gratiot and Ionia Counties January 5, 2026
• Clinton and Eaton Counties March 2, 2026

Helix to Hiple Project

• Branch County May 1, 2026
• Calhoun County September 1, 2026

Please get your request in before these dates to allow METC sufficient time to evaluate it and implement changes, if any, to the design of the projects.

METC or its agent will advise you in writing if it approves or denies your request.

The design of the Project is similar to other double circuit 345 kV AC transmission lines presently in use throughout Michigan and the United States. Like those projects, potential audible noise from a typical structure for the Project at the edge of the right-of-way would be less than or comparable to the noise level expected from rainfall, a refrigerator, and a quiet library. To the extent there may be noise from the Projects after they are in service, that noise will be no different than the noise experienced from everyday items and environments. METC, consistent with its standard practice, is required by the Commission to investigate every noise complaint received by landowners to ensure that there is not a system issue that needs to be addressed and METC intends to do so.

Noise complaints can be submitted to METC by contacting:

• The Universal Field Services (“UFS”) land consultant assigned to your parcel. UFS land consultants have already/will provide you their contact information.
• The UFS hotline at 855-ITC-LRTP (855-482-5787) or emailing UFS at ITCLRTP@ufsrw.com.

An easement is a legal right that allows someone to use another person’s land for a specific purpose. METC may seek an easement on some properties to construct, reconstruct, maintain, operate, or repair a transmission line, and perform vegetation management.

METC will utilize professional land consultants, Universal Field Services (UFS), to assist with the right-of-way easement acquisition for these projects. We encourage you to call UFS on the toll-free number 855-482-5787 (855-ITC-LRTP), or emailing UFS at ITCLRTP@ufsrw.com. 

You can do anything with the land that will not interfere with the safe operation of the transmission line, including normal farming operations.  Structures and some vegetation can interfere with the line, so they are restricted in the easement area. Landowners should contact METC with any questions about potential uses within the easement area. You may contact your UFS land consultant, or UFS directly at 855-ITC-LRTP (855-482-5787) or ITCLRTP@ufsrw.com.

Nelson Road – Oneida: Construction is scheduled to start Q3 2028 and end by Q3 2029.

Helix – Hiple: Construction is scheduled to start in Q1 2029 and end mid-2030.

METC anticipates that the time on a property per pole installed during the construction phase will be less than 2 weeks when totaled. Time on a property will be spread out in several stages including matting, foundation, pole erection, conductor installation, and restoration.

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.

METC 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.

METC will utilize professional land consultants, Universal Field Services (UFS), to assist with landowner concerns, noise complaints, minor modification requests, and the right-of-way easement acquisition for these projects. We encourage you to call UFS on the toll-free number 855-482-5787 (855-ITC-LRTP), or emailing UFS at ITCLRTP@ufsrw.com.