North America News

Latest news and developments from North America region

• ERCOT approves 345 kV Far West Texas Project

  June 15, 2017
  Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has approved the 345 kV Far West Texas Project proposed by Oncor and American Electric Power (AEP) to address continued load growth southwest of Odessa, Texas.

• NPPD seeks permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service for R-Plan Project

  June 14, 2017
  Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) has applied for a permit under the Endangered Species Act with US Fish and Wildlife Service for its 345 kV R-Plan Project.

• USACE issues permit for Surry–Skiffes Creek Transmission Project

  June 14, 2017
  The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has issued a provisional permit for the Surry–Skiffes Creek transmission project. The 500 kV line is required to ensure reliability on the Peninsula following the planned closure of coal-fired units at the Yorktown Power Station.

• ATC seeks approval from PUC of Wisconsin for 345 kV Riverside Transmission Line Project

  June 14, 2017
  American Transmission Company (ATC) has submitted an application to the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin for the 345 kV Riverside Transmission Line Project.

• Avista Corporation seeks Idaho PUC approval for rate increase

  June 13, 2017
  Washington-based Avista Corporation has submitted its request with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to increase annual electric billed revenues by USD18.6 million, or 7.9 per cent, from January 1, 2018, and by USD9.9 million, or 4.2 per cent, from January 1, 2019.

• I&M announces USD146 million transmission project in Michigan

  June 12, 2017
  Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP), has announced the USD146 million Valley Area Improvements Program to upgrade the electric transmission grid in Van Buren, Berrien and Cass counties in southwestern Michigan.

• Federal Government proposal to sell off BPA’s assets faces opposition from lawmakers

  June 12, 2017
  Reportedly, a group of 15 US congressmen from Oregon and Washington urged the Federal Government not to pursue the sale of three federal power marketing administrations' transmission assets, as the move would raise rates for consumers and threaten grid reliability for rural communities.

• PJM proposes alternative cost allocation methods for Artificial Island Transmission Project

  June 12, 2017
  PJM Interconnection has proposed two alternative cost allocation methods for the Artificial Island Transmission Project. The project includes the 230 kV Salem–Silver Run transmission line and substation project (USD146 million), the Hope Creek interconnection (USD132 million), and the Delaware interconnection (USD2 million).

• Ameren plans 161 kV transmission project in Columbia City

  June 12, 2017
  The transmission network of the city of Columbia is aging and requires improvement to avoid penalties. Therefore, reportedly, Ameren Missouri has proposed talks with the city regarding a major expansion of the city's electric system.

• Public meetings scheduled for Mark Twain Transmission Project

  June 9, 2017
  Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI), Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative (Northeast Power) and Ameren Missouri are requesting input from landowners on the proposed new route for the Mark Twain Transmission Project, to be built in northeast Missouri.

• PUC of Texas again rejects NextEra Energy and Oncor merger deal

  June 9, 2017
  Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas has rejected NextEra Energy’s requested to reconsider its decision rejecting the former’s proposal to acquire Oncor Electric Delivery—a subsidiary of Energy Future Holdings (EFH), for USD18.4 billion.

• Missouri PSC halts decision on Grain Belt Transmission Project

  June 7, 2017
  Reportedly, Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) has put on hold its decision on Clean Line Energy Partners' (CLE) Grain Belt Express transmission line.

• JCP&L energises USD129 million transmission projects in Monmouth County, New Jersey

  June 6, 2017
  Jersey Central Power & Light's (JCP&L)—a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corporation, has completed two transmission projects in Monmouth County.

• FirstEnergy to upgrade transmission network in Ohio

  June 5, 2017
  FirstEnergy Corporation is rebuilding and modernising a 69 kV transmission line to enhance service reliability for approximately 10,000 electric customers near Mansfield, Ohio

• USFS releases final RoD for TWE transmission project [free access]

  June 5, 2017
  The US Forest Service (USFS) has released its final record of decision (RoD) for the TransWest Express (TWE) Transmission Project.

• New Hampshire SEC directs Northern Pass LLC to reach out to Plymouth and Franconia businesses

  June 3, 2017
  New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) has directed the developer of the Northern Pass Transmission Project to reach out to Plymouth and Franconia businesses, which are likely to be impacted by the construction of underground portions of the Northern Pass project which will run from the Canadian border to Deerfield in New Hampshire.

• Transource Energy announces plan to develop Independence Energy Connection

  June 1, 2017
  Transource Energy, a partnership between American Electric Power (AEP) and Great Plains Energy, has announced its plans to develop the Independence Energy Connection (IEC), a new overhead electric transmission project in Pennsylvania and Maryland to increase consumer access to more affordable power in the region.

• National Grid to complete USD77 million Mohican–Battenkill Rebuild Project soon

  May 31, 2017
  National Grid is about to finish its USD77 million Mohican–Battenkill Rebuild Project in the Saratoga and Washington counties in New York.

• Powin Energy to supply battery storage system to SDE&G

  May 30, 2017
  Oregon-based Powin Energy has signed a contract with San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E)—Sempra Energy’s subsidiary, for a 6.5 MW/26 MWh battery storage system project to balance clean energy supply with grid demand.

• ERCOT stakeholders endorse 345 kV Far West Texas Project

  May 29, 2017
  Stakeholders of Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) are endorsing the 345 kV Far West Texas Project being proposed by Oncor and American Electric Power (AEP) to address continued load growth southwest of Odessa, Texas.