ITC hosted open house events in July 2010 to present potential routes, discuss project details and receive feedback from affected landowners along each potential route. We then developed two routes, a proposed route and an alternate route. The proposed route minimizes the direct project impacts to the human and natural environment while providing a constructible and cost-efficient route. It also minimizes the potential indirect future impacts associated with construction of transmission lines to connect wind farms to the backbone transmission line. The alternate route would require construction of longer transmission lines to connect wind farms to the backbone transmission line because it is located more to the inner edge of the wind zone and follows an alignment through the more central area of the Thumb, rather than along the outer periphery where the highest potential for wind exists. Both routes attempt to avoid developed and municipal areas, state and public lands, center pivot irrigation systems, airports and landing strips. We tried to maximize distance from residences and minimize wetlands within the right-of-way. We also attempted to use existing ITC rights-of-way in areas where there are suitable and available adjacent lands for the additional right-of-way this project will require. When crossing cropland, we looked to locate the line along field borders, fence rows, non tilled borders or waterways. We also attempted to span across fields where possible, thus avoiding the need to place a structure within a tilled area. The MPSC approved the preferred route on February 25, 2011.

ITC works respectfully with landowners throughout the siting, design, and construction process to minimize impacts to their properties

ITC expects that in most cases land can be used for the same purposes for which it was used prior to the construction of the transmission line. Farming activities can continue under the line, with only the pole structure, a tubular steel monopole approximately every 900 feet, affecting agricultural activities.

The Thumb Loop project is being built primarily with tubular steel monopoles in a double-circuit arrangement with three double-bundled conductor phases for each circuit on either side of the pole. Steel lattice towers are being used for large angle applications. Overhead ground wires will be located at the top of the structures to protect the conductors from lightning strikes. The height of the structures varies based on terrain, clearances to the ground, objects under the line and structure spacing, but typically range between 130 and 180 feet. The span lengths between structures is approximately 800 to 1,100 feet, with an average span of 900 feet.

345-kV transmission lines have operated safely in Michigan and across the entire country, around people and animals, since the 1950’s. ITC owns and safely operates 2,939 miles of 345-kV lines in Michigan. The Thumb Loop 345-kV project is being built to meet and/or exceed all applicable safety standards.

Yes, EMF exist wherever there is a flow of electricity, including around power distribution and transmission lines, as well as around electrical wiring in homes and businesses, and electric appliances and equipment. Over the past 30 years, many scientific studies have been conducted on EMF and health. This research has been reviewed by leading public health agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), which currently finds that “despite extensive research, to date there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health.” If you have additional EMF questions, please contact ITC’s Customer Toll-Free Line at 877.ITC.ITC9 (877.482.4829).