The Michigan Public Service Commission recently approved the application for construction of two new major electric transmission lines in southern Michigan, granting Michigan Electric Transmission Co. the certificates of public convenience and necessity for the projects meant to strengthen Michigan’s power grid, reduce grid congestion and allow for more integration of renewable energy into the grid.
This is the first approval of high-voltage transmission lines by the MPSC in more than a decade, and the lines are the largest to be approved since the MPSC approved the Thump Loop in February 2011.
METC sought approval of two certificates of public convenience and necessity for new electric transmission lines in the central and southern Lower Peninsula.
One is the Nelson Road to Oneida project, a 39-mile, 345 kilovolt (kV) double circuit line between substations in Gratiot and Eaton counties. The other is the Helix to Hiple project, a 55-mile, 345 kV double circuit line between substations in Calhoun and Branch counties.
METC also sought approval for the construction of a new Helix Substation as part of the project.
The projects were proposed as part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) Long-Range Transmission Planning initiative, with the MISO Board of Directors approving the portfolio of projects that included these projects in July 2022.
Under Public Act 30 of 1995, the MPSC has authority for siting of transmission lines in Michigan that are more than 5 miles long and that transfer 345 kV or more electricity.
In Act 30 cases, which are contested, the Commission must issue an order within a year of an application.
METC submitted one proposed route and one alternate route for each line, as required by statute. The MPSC approved the Nelson to Oneida line to be built on METC’s alternate route and the Helix to Hiple line to be built on METC’s proposed route.
The Commission found that, for the Nelson to Oneida line, the alternate route was reasonable and preferable to the proposed route, noting it has fewer heavy angles and road crossings, impacts fewer wetlands and hydric soils, and uses a long-standing existing utility right of way, displaying sounder routing principles.
For the Helix to Hiple line, the Commission found the proposed route reasonable, saying the alternate route would have avoided impact to the R&R Ranch Airport but would result in more impacts on archeological sites, increase the number of residences within 500 feet of the line’s right of way, and expand the number of parcels crossed by the line.
The Commission found that both lines are needed to ensure increased energy reliability, capacity, and renewable energy integration, and that the project will not present an unreasonable threat to public health and safety.
The Commission found that, while the projects will include some environmental impairment, approval is permissible under the Michigan Environmental Protection Act, because there is no feasible and prudent alternative.
The Commission conditioned approval of this certificate on a number of actions METC must take. Among other things, METC must consider landowners’ specific requests for minor modifications to the major transmission line routes approved in the order.
