Iowa commissioners gave permission this week for ITC Midwest to move forward with plans to build electric transmission lines in Eastern Iowa, one piece of a multimillion-dollar portfolio of projects intended to improve power grid reliability and resilience across the Midwest.
Iowans who see low-flying helicopters near transmission lines in the next few weeks should fear not — the flights are part of regular maintenance by ITC Midwest.
Two Iowa veterans on Tuesday were gifted new all-terrain wheelchairs through an annual fundraiser hosted by ITC Midwest in Cedar Rapids.
Energy companies with infrastructure in Iowa would have the first opportunity to build new electric transmission lines, and nuclear growth would be encouraged under legislation proposed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. But how would the legislation impact Iowans’ energy bills? On that, there is much disagreement.
The project — approved in December — will bring the first 765-kV transmission line to the Upper Midwest. It is part of the largest electric grid expansion project in U.S. history.
Construction wrapped up late last week, ITC Midwest spokesperson Rod Pritchard said. The 345-kilovolt line was fully energized Thursday.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked plans by American Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative to build a high-voltage power line across a Mississippi River wildlife refuge.
However, an Iowa court decision is temporarily pausing build-out of other transmission projects.
ITC Midwest will conduct aerial patrols of its transmission infrastructure until Oct. 13, weather permitting
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