ITC helicopters will be checking structures and lines around state

Before the rumors fly — ITC announced that it will be conducting aerial patrols of the high-voltage transmission structures and lines in Macomb County from approximately May 16 - June 3, weather permitting.

So, residents will see more helicopters than usual in the coming weeks as pilots do aerial reports of the overall status of the overhead transmission system operated by ITC’s Michigan operating entities, ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC).

Other aerial inspections will cover nearly all the Lower Peninsula, including all or part of the following counties:

• May 16 — 23: St. Clair, Oakland, Clinton, Genesee, Gratiot, Huron, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Midland, Monroe, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne

• May 17 — 27: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lenawee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa, St. Joseph, and Van Buren

• May 18 — June 3: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Bay, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Midland, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford

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. 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.

For more information about ITC, visit itc-holdings.com.