February 22, 2008

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today denied an application by ITCTransmission for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of a transmission line running through Sterling Heights, Troy, Clawson, and Royal Oak.

The company on Feb. 27, 2007 filed an application seeking the certificate for the proposed line, referred to as the Bismark-Troy line, that would be a 345 kilovolt line, 13.94 miles in length, comprised of 2.3 miles of existing overhead double circuit transmission line, and 11.64 miles of new underground line.

In denying the request, the MPSC noted that the company failed to demonstrate that the electric forecast supporting the proposed transmission line is reliable enough to provide a foundation for this $150 million project.  In denying to grant the certificate of public convenience and necessity, the MPSC noted it is left without a sufficient basis to decide whether the transmission line's benefits justify its construction.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

Case No. U-14933