North America News

Latest news and developments from North America region

• Pittsylvania County proposes amendments in zoning ordinance for transmission projects

  March 14, 2019
  The staff of Pittsylvania County has recommended amendments in the zoning ordinance for 138 kV and lesser voltage transmission projects, which are proposed to serve industrial parks.

• FERC rejects GridLiance’s proposal to acquire transmission assets of PEC

  March 13, 2019
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected the proposal of US-based GridLiance to acquire certain transmission lines and related facilities of Oklahoma-based People’s Electric Cooperative (PEC).

• Merrillville-based NIPSCO plans to invest USD660 million in 2019

  March 11, 2019
  Merrillville-based Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) has planned to invest USD660 million to upgrade its electricity and gas network during 2019.

• Siemens and CIP purchase 525 kV project from DC DevCo [free access]

  March 11, 2019
  Siemens, a German energy-engineering firm, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), a Danish fund specialising in renewables, have purchased the 2,100 MW high voltage direct current (HVDC) SOO Green Renewable Rail project from North Carolina-based Direct Connect Development Company (DC DevCo).

• Bellevue City Council grants easements for 115 kV Lake Hills–Phantom Lake Project

  March 11, 2019
  The Bellevue City Council of Kentucky state has approved four easements for the construction and operation of the 115 kV Lake Hills–Phantom Lake Project being developed by Puget Sound Energy (PSE).

• FERC allows NEET to recover costs related to 500 kV Hartburg–Sabine project

  March 6, 2019
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has authorised NextEra Energy Transmission (NEET) Midwest to recover all prudently-incurred costs related to its investment in the 500 kV Hartburg–Sabine junction project in East Texas.

• Maine Electric Power Company completes 345 kV rebuild project

  March 6, 2019
  Maine Electric Power Company, jointly owned by Central Maine Power (CMP) and Emera Maine, has completed the rebuilding of a 51-mile (82.11-km) transmission line between Orrington and Windsor, six months ahead of schedule and USD35 million under budget, reducing anticipated project costs from USD105 million to USD70 million.

• Californian SMUD cancels 500 kV CoSu project [free access]

  March 4, 2019
  California-based Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has canceled the 500 kV Colusa–Sutter Transmission Line (CoSu) project, considering its rising cost.

• US Court of Appeals for Columbia directs USACE to prepare EIS for 500 kV Surry–Skiffes Creek project

  March 4, 2019
  The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has ordered United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the 500 kV Surry–Skiffes Creek transmission line project, following an appeal by National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Virginia, both non-profit organisations engaged in the preservation of historic sites throughout the US and Virginia respectively.

• Indiana-based I&M announces 138 kV Muncie–Marion project

  March 4, 2019
  Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), a part of American Electric Power (AEP), has announced plans to enhance energy reliability in east-central Indiana through the Muncie–Marion Transmission Line Project.

• GridLiance High Plains begins work on Panhandle Reliability Project in Oklahoma

  March 4, 2019
  GridLiance High Plains, an electric transmission utility and partner of Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC), has begun construction of the Panhandle Reliability Project in Oklahoma.

• Canadian Hydro One to invest CAD100 million to upgrade network in Ottawa

  March 4, 2019
  Canada-based Hydro One has announced plans to invest CAD100 million in significant infrastructure upgrades in the Ottawa region.

• MISO proposes new cost allocation plan for MEPs to FERC

  February 28, 2019
  The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), along with majority of its transmission owners, has filed a new cost allocation plan with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to modify its cost allocation methods for market efficiency projects (MEPs).

• NYISO Management Committee accepts draft report on AC Public Policy Transmission Project

  February 28, 2019
  The Management Committee of the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has accepted the draft report of the staff on the AC Public Policy Transmission Project, under which Project T027 for Segment A and Project T019 for Segment B have been selected as the more efficient or cost-effective solutions.

• Pennsylvania PUC hosts evidentiary hearings for IEC project

  February 28, 2019
  The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) hosted seven days of evidentiary hearings for Transource Energy’s Independence Energy Connection (IEC) project during February 21-27, 2019.

• Dominion Power energises 500 kV Surry–Skiffes Creek project

  February 27, 2019
  Virginia Electric and Power (Dominion Energy Virginia), a part of Dominion Power, has energised the 500 kV Surry–Skiffes Creek transmission line project ahead of its scheduled completion date of mid-2019.

• FERC approves PJM’s revised methodology for calculating costs and benefits of transmission projects

  February 25, 2019
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected the application of ITC Mid-Atlantic Development LLC (a subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corporation) and NextEra Energy Transmission LLC, which was filed in November 2018, opposing PJM Interconnection's proposed method for calculating the costs and benefits of competing transmission projects.

• Government of Canada supports Kivalliq Hydro–Fibre Link project [free access]

  February 25, 2019
  The Government of Canada, through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), is supporting a two-year technical and feasibility study on developing a hydroelectric-fibre optic link, which would connect communities in the Kivalliq region to Northern Manitoba to reduce the use of fossil fuel for energy generation, and improve internet connectivity in these communities.

• Ameren Missouri files USD6.3 billion Smart Energy Plan with Missouri PSC

  February 19, 2019
  Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation, has filed its USD6.3 billion Smart Energy Plan with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC).

• Moffat County approves CUP for TWE Project [free access]

  February 19, 2019
  The Moffat County (in Colorado State) Board of County Commissioners has approved a conditional-use permit (CUP) for the TransWest Express (TWE) Project, proposed by TransWest Express LLC (a wholly-owned affiliate of The Anschutz Corporation, a privately-held company based in Denver).