ITC Conducting Aerial Patrols of Transmission Lines in Northern Michigan
NOVI, Michigan (June 8, 2015) – ITC will be conducting its semi-annual aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission towers and lines in northern Michigan from approximately June 15 to June 26, weather permitting. 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).
The aerial inspections in northern Michigan will cover an area ranging approximately from U.S. 10 north to the tip of the Lower Peninsula.
These twice-a-year patrols are a North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirement for ITC’s operations, maintenance and vegetation management functions and are in line with ITC’s model for operational excellence. They include inspections of steel towers, wood poles, conductors (wires), insulators and other equipment. Crews check 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 transmission lines. The flights began in western Michigan on May 4 and will cover nearly all of the Lower Peninsula, concluding in northern Michigan approximately June 26.
ABOUT ITC MICHIGAN
ITC’s operating companies in Michigan – ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC) – combined 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 3,000 circuit miles of transmission lines in southeast Michigan.
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 5,600 circuit miles of transmission lines serving most of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Media Contact: Joe Kirik (248.946.3478 jkirik@itctransco.com)