Wednesday, October 3, 2012

ITC Conducting Aerial Patrols of Transmission Lines in Michigan

NOVI, Mich. Oct. 3, 2012 – ITC is conducting aerial patrols of its high-voltage transmission towers and lines across the Lower Peninsula of Michigan during October and early November. The helicopter patrols are conducted to provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system that is operated by ITC’s Michigan operating entities, ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC).

During the period October 4 to October 13, aerial inspections will be conducted in an area including south-central, southwestern and western Michigan, north to the Ludington/M10 area.

These twice-a-year patrols are a NERC (North American Electrical Reliability Corporation) requirement for ITC’s operations, maintenance and vegetation management functions and is in line with ITC’s model for operational excellence. They include inspections of steel towers, wood poles, conductors (wires), insulators and other equipment. Crews are checking for damaged or worn equipment and vegetation hazards.

The inspection flights are often conducted at low altitudes to allow accurate visual inspection of equipment for lightning damage, wear or other potential problems. This is normal procedure, so there is no cause for alarm if a low-flying helicopter is sighted near the lines.

ABOUT ITC MICHIGAN

In Michigan, operating entities ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC) serve most of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

ABOUT ITCTRANSMISSION:

International Transmission Company (d/b/a ITCTransmission) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company. Based in Novi, Michigan, ITCTransmission owns, operates and maintains approximately 2,800 circuit miles of transmission lines in southeast Michigan, serving a population of 5.1 million.

ABOUT METC:

Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company. Based in Novi, Michigan, METC owns, operates and maintains approximately 5,500 circuit miles of transmission lines in the western and northern portions of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, serving 4.9 million people.

Media Contact: Joe Kirik (248.946.3478 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

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