LS Power, Hoosier Energy, and Big Rivers selected by MISO for First Competitive Transmission Project
LS Power, Hoosier Energy, and Big Rivers have been selected by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) to implement, own, and operate the Duff-Coleman EHV 345 kV Competitive Transmission Project to be located in Indiana and Kentucky.
The competitive process for Duff-Coleman was the first conducted by MISO pursuant to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Order No. 1000, which was designed to foster competition in transmission. The process garnered broad interest with eleven proposals submitted from transmission developers across the country.
MISO determined that Republic Transmission (a LS Power/Hoosier Energy partnership) together with Big Rivers provided the best balance of high-quality design and competitive cost, best-in-class project implementation, and top-tier plans for operations and maintenance. Republic Transmission's proposal provided the greatest overall value with a low cost, the lowest risk, and a high degree of certainty. Paul Thessen, President of LS Power said:
"The binding cost containment provisions we offered, including a cap on costs, demonstrate the benefits that competition for transmission provides consumers."
LS Power, Hoosier Energy, and Big Rivers worked exclusively together for the Duff-Coleman competitive process. Mike Chambliss, Vice President of System Operations at Big Rivers explained:
"Our partnership allowed us to provide both lower costs and greater risk protection for MISO and consumers. Together, the team has the capabilities to deliver, maintain, and operate all aspects of the Project efficiently."
The selection of a project developer by MISO is a key step in project implementation; the team will now complete public outreach, routing, permitting, and design. Dave Sandefur, Vice President of Power Supply for Hoosier Energy said:
"We look forward to working closely with our partners, MISO, and the communities in which the project is located to bring the project to fruition."
Construction could begin as early as 2018 with an in-service date prior to January 1, 2021.
