FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ITC to Conduct Fall Aerial Patrols of Transmission Lines in Southeastern Michigan
NOVI, Mich. October 6, 2014 – ITC will conduct its semi-annual aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission towers and lines in southeastern Michigan from October 13 through approximately October 24, weather permitting. The helicopter patrols are conducted to provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system that is owned and operated by ITC’s Michigan operating entities, ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC).
The aerial inspections in southeastern Michigan will cover the area from Lansing, south to the Ohio border and east to Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair, including all or parts of Ingham, Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Wayne and Monroe counties.
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. Flights this fall began in northern Michigan in mid-September and are covering most of the Lower Peninsula.
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)