Press Release Archive

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Five Midwestern States Announce Transmission Planning Initiative

Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative Plans to Address Pressing Need for Regional Cooperation on Electric Grid Expansion to Support Wind Energy

DES MOINES – Iowa has partnered with four other Upper Midwest states in a joint planning effort that will promote regional electric transmission investment and cost sharing.  The Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative is to identify necessary Upper Midwest wind generation resources and the transmission projects and infrastructure needed to support those resources in a cost effective manner.  It is also intended to determine a reasonable allocation of those costs for the region.

Iowa joins Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin in this initiative, which will be conducted over the next 12 months and will develop a concrete plan or tariff proposal for the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO).  These states will coordinate efforts with state regulatory agencies, transmission companies, utilities, independent generation owners, and other key parties.  The initiative will also work closely with MISO, which is conducting a variety of transmission planning studies with results expected during 2009. 

The Governor of each participating state expressed optimism for this joint effort:

  • “I'm committed to Iowa's continued production of renewable energy,” said Iowa Governor Chet Culver.  “This collaboration on electric transmission development continues and strengthens our goal of making Iowa the renewable energy capital of the United States.  A critical issue is cost sharing, and I am confident that this group of like-minded states can work through that difficult issue.”
  • "The time is right for planning and coordination between these states in the Midwest ISO," said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.  "As states in the region increase their use of wind energy, planning on how best to locate wind farms and other renewable sources and build the necessary transmission infrastructure to support them is crucial."
  •  “This effort complements and meshes very well with ongoing initiatives at MISO and the Midwest Governors Association (MGA),” said Governor Michael Rounds of South Dakota, who is also the current MGA Chair.
  •  “Coordinated transmission planning centered on renewable energy is critical to providing a diverse supply of affordable, clean energy to our region,” said Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.  “The coordinated transmission planning we are announcing today matches the recommendations made in a report by Wisconsin’s Global Warming Task Force.”
  • “The positive economic implications of sound energy planning are already apparent in North Dakota,” said North Dakota Governor John Hoeven.  “Regional cooperation and preplanning by North Dakota and the four other states involved in this initiative will help to attract new transmission investments that are timely and well-designed to expedite wind energy development in our state and our region.”

The Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative plans to hold its first meeting in October on a date to be determined.  After that initial meeting, a project timeline, scope statement, work plan, and identification of appropriate stakeholders will be made available.