NOVI, Mich. October 1, 2013 – ITC will be conducting its semi-annual aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission towers and lines in western Michigan from approximately October 8 to October 15, 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 western and southwestern Michigan will cover the area generally south of M-10 to the Indiana border and west of U.S. 127 to Lake Michigan.
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.