Helicopters to patrol power lines this week

Helicopters to patrol power lines this week

OCEANA COUNTY – ITC is conducting aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission structures and lines in Michigan, and Oceana County is included in a region set for patrols through Friday, June 2.

The helicopter patrols are conducted to provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system operated by ITC’s Michigan operating entities, ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC).

The aerial inspections will cover nearly all the Lower Peninsula.

“These patrols are a North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirement for ITC’s vegetation management program; support proactive maintenance objectives; and are in line with the company’s model for operational excellence,” states a press release. “They include inspections of all transmission structures and equipment including, but not limited to, monopoles, steel towers, wood poles, conductors (wires), insulators and other equipment.”

“The helicopters will be flying lower than usual near the transmission lines during these inspections, which is no cause for concern for area residents,” said ITC Integrated Communications Specialist Grace Turner.

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