New Power Transmission Report Shows April Continues Trend of New Transmission

HOUSTON, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Three electric transmission projects representing nearly 80 miles of line and $80 million USD of investment entered service in April, according to TransmissionHub, an online intelligence service dedicated to the North American electric transmission industry.

"April was a busy month, with new lines energized, new project announcements and a flurry of existing project activity," Rosy Lum, chief analyst for TransmissionHub, said. "This level of activity builds on a successful first quarter of 2013, in which the industry completed over $1 billion USD of new construction."

TransmissionHub published its Monthly Project Review on May 20, containing comprehensive transmission project news and updates.

The three lines that entered service were constructed by Southwestern Public Service, which energized its 38-mile, 230-kV Hitchland to Ochiltree project; Minnesota Power, which energized its 28-mile, 230-kV Essar Steel/Nashwauk line; and the   Bonneville Power Administration, which energized its 11-mile Benton to Othello No. 1 project.

In addition, a new project was announced by the Westlands Water District, which will support a new 2,400 MW solar facility near Fresno, Calif.

Other project updates in the Transmission Hub Monthly Project Review:

• Clean Line signed an agreement to acquire Power Network New Mexico, a company that is developing, with the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA), a 200-mile, 345-kV transmission line. The project will give Clean Line access to the Four Corners area.
• ITC Midwestfiled for approval of a certificate of necessity and a route permit for the 100-mile Minnesota to Iowa 345-kV line with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The Minnesota Department of Commerce staff has recommended that the PUC approve the route permit.
• BC Hydro will extend its Northwest Transmission Line by 58 miles and add a 10-mile distribution line to the project.
• American Transmission Co. narrowed the route for the Wisconsin portion of the Bay Lake project. The 45-mile, $409m project includes 345-kV and 138-kV lines in Green Bay, Wis.
• The U.S. Bureau of Land Management released the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Gateway West project, a 990-mile transmission line that is proposed to run from Wyoming to Idaho. Idaho Power and PacifiCorp. are jointly developing the project.
• The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Transmission Developers Inc.'s Champlain to Hudson Power Express project, a 333-mile, 320-kV underground transmission line estimated to cost $2.2bn. The project will transport power from Quebec to the New York metro area.

The full report is available on TransmissionHub.com

About TransmissionHub
PennWell's TransmissionHub is an interactive, multi-channel information resource serving electric power transmission professionals. Providing reliable data--including the most robust North American project database available, fully integrated source documents, detailed maps, plus industry insights from senior analysts and exclusive editorial coverage--TransmissionHub keeps the transmission market connected online and in person via daily newsletters, weekly summary reports, webcasts and regional events.

About PennWell
TransmissionHub is owned and produced by PennWell Corporation based in Tulsa, Okla. PennWell is a diversified business-to-business media and information company that provides quality content and integrated marketing solutions for the following industries:  Oil and gas, electric power, water, electronics, semiconductor, contamination control, optoelectronics, fiber optics, enterprise storage, fire, emergency services and dental. For additional information about PennWell, visit www.pennwell.com. 

CONTACT:  Brian Bass
Marketing Manager, PennWell Data & Intelligence Products
918-832-9393
[email protected]

SOURCE TransmissionHub