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Hundreds attend Batesville power grid project open house
(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – Hundreds of people showed up for an information session regarding the Batesville Transmission Improvements Project on Wednesday night.
Indiana Michigan Power hosted the open house which gave residents the opportunity to ask about the impact it will have on their properties, the construction process, timeline, and other project details.
Many attendees we spoke with expressed concerns over future data centers, future electric costs and also how their property would be affected.
Several people left the session feeling disgruntled, saying they didn’t receive enough information about the project.
Here’s what we know about the Batesville Transmission Improvements Project:
What and Where
Indiana Michigan Power is conducting the proposed project and plans to construct 9 miles of new 345-kV transmission line in the Batesville area. '
The company says the goal is to improve electric reliability for residents of eastern Indiana.
According to company representatives, construction would be one of the routes shown below, going either to the west or east of the Batesville Substation on Delaware Road.
Factors such as land use, environment, public input and engineering guidelines is taken into account to determine the transmission line route, the company said.
The map below shows possible line routes and Indiana Michigan Power will choose one, based on public feedback and feasibility. The final route is expected to be chosen by the end of 2026.
Why The Project Is Happening:
Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) is the organization that oversees and manages a large portion of the power grid in the Midwest.
MISO has mandated the project as part of its Long Range Transmission Planning (LRTP) .
The organization says LRTP is an effort to develop regional projects to ensure the transmission system is reliable, economic and compliant based on utility and state goals and policies, projected conditions, and industry trends.
“This project strengthens the power grid and improves electric service for customers. This project will also create opportunities for future growth and development in the region," MISO stated.
This local project is part of the larger LRTP initiative called Tranche 2.1, which is the development of a 3,631-mile 765-kV system that stretches from Kentucky to Minnesota.
Cost to Ratepayers
According to MISO, Tranche 2.1 is estimated to cost members about $5 per 1,000 kWh of energy used while providing $10 to $18 of value over that same amount of usage per month in value.
Typical Structures
The Batesville Transmission Improvement Project will involve the use of double circuit steel monopoles.
The average height of a tower is 165 feet and the average right-of-way width is 150 to 200 feet.
A company representative said they will be spaced out approximately 1400 feet apart.
Construction Process
Their crews will prepare for construction by:
Building access roads
Marking utilities and pole locations along the power line route using stakes and flags
Remove obstructions from the right-of-way easement area.
Install safety and environmental controls such as fencing
Forestry crews prepare for transmission line construction by clearing trees and other wooded vegetation.
Crews may clear certain trees they believe pose a risk outside the right-of-way as allowed per the easement language.
Project Timeline
Final Line Route Announcement - Late 2026
Right-of-Way Communications - Late 2026
Field Surveys and Engineering - Late 2026 through Summer 2027
Pre-Construction Activities - Summer 2027 through Fall 2028
Transmission Line Construction -- Fall 2028 through Spring 2032
Facilities In-Service - Spring 2032
How To Get Involved
Indiana Michigan Power is accepting public feedback until October 14. Comments and Questions can be directed to:
Delia Makhetha - Project Outreach Specialist representing Indiana Michigan Power
Phone: (877) 605-5554.
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