ALLETE Proposes Transmission Line to Import Electricity From Canada to the Midwest
ALLETE Inc., a subsidiary Minnesota Power, is filing for approval from the Regional Transmission Organization's Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) to build a new transmission line.
The new transmission line would connect hydro power in the Canadian province of Manitoba to customers in the the Upper Midwest of the United States. The proposed transmission line is a vital part of a 250 MW power purchase agreement signed between Minnesota Power and Manitoba Hydro in June 2011.
After the PPA is approved by Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, the next step regulatory hurdle involves getting through the MISO Transmission Expansion Planning process. MISO manages electricity 11 U.S. states and Manitoba.
The Winnipeg-Iron Range project would run from Winnipeg to a substation on the Mesabi Iron Range and is expected to be in service in 2020 which is when the PPA has been approved to begin.
"We’re well positioned geographically to serve customers with emission-free energy, though transmission investments are required to move electricity where it’s needed,” said Alan R. Hodnik, chairman, president and CEO of ALLETE.
Image Credit: Dendroica cerulea via Flickr
Joseph Baker is a freelance writer living in Vancouver BC. His areas of focus include renewable energy, sustainability and climate change.
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