North America News

Latest news and developments from North America region

• NextBridge files LTC application with OEB for East-West Tie Project [free access]

  August 18, 2017
  NextBridge Infrastructure (NextBridge), a partnership between affiliates of Enbridge, NextEra Energy Canada and Borealis Infrastructure, has filed a Leave to Construct (LTC) application for the East-West Tie Line (EWT) Project with Ontario Energy Board (OEB) on July 31, 2017.

• Wataynikaneyap Power to receive CAD60 million grant for Pikangikum Distribution Line Project

  August 18, 2017
  Wataynikaneyap Power, a transmission company equally owned by 22 First Nations communities and Fortis, will receive CAD60 million from Canada's Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs for its Pikangikum Distribution Line Project.

• Missouri regulators again reject Grain Belt Transmission Project

  August 16, 2017
  Missouri regulators have again rejected the application of Clean Line Energy (CLE) for the Grain Belt Express transmission line project.

• US DoE issues final EIS for Northern Pass Project

  August 15, 2017
  The US Department of Energy (DoE) has released the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Northern Pass Project being developed by Northern Pass Transmission LLC, a part of Eversource Energy Transmission Ventures LLC which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource Energy.

• Regulators of Marion and Lewis counties approve Mark Twain Transmission Project

  August 15, 2017
  The regulators of Marion and Lewis counties, Missouri have approved the Mark Twain Transmission Project proposed by Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) in collaboration with Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative (Northeast Power).

• NYSEG files application with New York PSC for 115 kV transmission project

  August 15, 2017
  New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) has filed an application with the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for the certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for an electric project to be built in the towns of Stockport and Ghent, Columbia County, New York.

• PSE chooses existing corridor for Energize Eastside Project

  August 14, 2017
  Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has selected the existing corridor ‘Willow 1’ as the final route for its Energize Eastside Project.

• Nogales Transmission and UNSE seek ACC approval for two transmission projects

  August 14, 2017
  Nogales Transmission, LLC (a Hunt Power company) and UNS Electric, Inc. (UNSE) [a wholly-owned subsidiary of UniSource Energy Corporation (USE)] have submitted their application with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to build the Nogales Interconnection Project and the UNSE Nogales Tap to Kantor Upgrade Project.

• US House Budget Committee rejects privatisation of BPA’s assets

  August 9, 2017
  The US House Budget Committee has approved a budget resolution, which rejects privatising the transmission assets of Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) as proposed by the Federal Government.

• City of Black River Falls requests changes in easement of Badger Coulee Project

  August 9, 2017
  The City of Black River Falls, Wisconsin has requested some changes to the easement for the Badger Coulee Transmission Line that is going through parts of Black River Falls at the monthly Common Council meeting.

• APS and AES Energy Storage to deploy 2 MW battery storage system in Arizona

  August 9, 2017
  Arizona Public Service (APS) and AES Energy Storage have planned to deploy 2 MW (8 MWh) batteries in rural Punkin Center northeast of Phoenix to defer investment on a 20-mile (32.2-km) transmission line.

• Adair County to host public meeting for Mark Twain Transmission Project

  August 8, 2017
  Adair County, Missouri is to host a public meeting on September 5, 2017, to discuss the Mark Twain Transmission Project being developed by Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) in collaboration with Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative (Northeast Power).

• Massachusetts’ MBTA allows Eversource to bury Sudbury–Hudson project

  August 8, 2017
  Reportedly, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has agreed to exempt Eversource from certain construction protocols as part of a USD9.3 million deal.

• FirstEnergy subsidiaries invest in Pennsylvania to improve power network

  August 8, 2017
  Three subsidiaries, West Penn Power, Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec), and Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed) of FirstEnergy Corporation, are investing in setting up various power lines and substations in their service territories in Pennsylvania.

• US DoE offers research funding to improve wholesale markets and transmission design

  August 8, 2017
  The US Department of Energy's (DoE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) has announced roughly USD900,000 in funding for research at three universities, mainly focused on wholesale markets and transmission design with an aim to reduce risks to the grid.

• PJM approves USD417 million transmission projects [free access]

  August 7, 2017
  The PJM Interconnection Board of Managers have authorised more than USD417 million worth of electric transmission projects for improving grid reliability.

• North Dakota PSC to seek comments on 230 kV line project in Minot, North Dakota

  August 7, 2017
  North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) has scheduled a public meeting on August 18, 2017 in Minot, North Dakota to discuss a 230 kV transmission line project proposed in McHenry and Ward counties.

• Two groups file lawsuit against Surry–Skiffes Creek Transmission Project

  August 3, 2017
  Two groups — National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Preservation Virginia — have filed a lawsuit in the US District Court of Columbia against Surry–Skiffes Creek Transmission Project, with US District Court for the District of Columbia.

• Maine Power Express and Con Edison propose ±320 kV project to Massachusetts DOER

  August 1, 2017
  Maine Power Express, LLC, a group of energy developers, has partnered with New York energy giant Con Edison, to bid for Maine Power Express (MPX) Project, in response to the request for proposal (RfP) issued by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

• ATXI dismisses lawsuit against Adair County Commission for Mark Twain project

  August 1, 2017
  Reportedly, Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) has dismissed its lawsuit with Adair County Circuit Court against the Adair County Commission.