The MISO board of directors has approved the MISO Transmission Expansion Plan 2015 (MTEP15), which represents $2.7 billion in new transmission investment across the region. The MTEP15 portfolio consists of 345 projects that will ensure reliability and position the region for future growth.
For the first time, the MTEP includes a competitive transmission project – the Duff-Coleman 345 kilovolt (kV) line in Southern Indiana. Duff-Coleman is a $67 million, market efficiency project that will be eligible for competitive bidding under rules established by FERC Order 1000. MISO will begin the bidding process in January 2016.
“These investments in the region will continue to position MISO for future challenges and changes in the industry,” said John R. Bear, president and CEO of MISO. “As our region grapples with the Clean Power Plan and a shifting generation portfolio, MISO’s transmission planning efforts are even more important. Ensuring a robust transmission system will allow us to meet these challenges in a way that protects reliability.”
Since 2003, $11 billion of MTEP projects have been constructed across the MISO footprint, enhancing system reliability, reducing congestion and enabling public policy requirements such as renewable portfolio standards.
MTEP is an 18-month planning process that involves meetings with MISO member companies, regulators and neighboring systems. This extensive coordination results in a plan that provides billions of dollars in economic benefit across the MISO footprint.
New Members Added to the Board
Additionally, the MISO membership elected two new members to its board of directors including Phyllis Currie and Mark Johnson. These additions complete the expansion of the MISO board from seven to nine independent seats. The membership also re-elected Michael Curran to another board term.
