Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) plans to invest approximately $66
million to enhance the electrical network in Berrien and Cass counties in Michigan and St. Joseph County in Indiana. These improvements are necessary to meet the area’s current and future power demands and provide reliable electric service to customers.
The Niles Area Transmission Improvements Project involves upgrading or expanding three substations, building two new substations and building approximately 3.5 miles of high-voltage line to connect the new substations to the electrical network. Crews plan to complete the project in three phases, listed below.
– The Niles North component, located in Cass County, Mich., involves expanding the existing 69- kV) Kenzie Creek Substation, rebuilding the 138-kV Pokagon Substation and building 1.5 miles of new 69-kV transmission line.
– The Niles Central component, located in Berrien and Cass counties, involves building the new 69-kV FourFlag Substation, upgrading the 69-kV Lake Street Substation, retiring 2.5 miles of 34.5-kV transmission line and building a half-mile mile extension of 69-kV transmission line to connect the new substation to the electrical network.
– The Niles South component, located in St. Joseph County, Indiana, involves building the new 138-kV Boundary Substation, building 1 mile of 138-kV transmission line and building a half-mile of 69-kV transmission line.
Company officials determined the proposed power line routes after reviewing land use, environmental impact and community input following Indiana Michigan Power’s project announcement, a virtual open house and in-person open houses in March.
“Community feedback is essential for this process and provides our project teams with local knowledge that we can use to determine the route with the least impact to the environment and community,” said Mona Livingston, I&M Community Affairs manager.
“These improvements are critical to maintaining
reliable electric service for our customers in the Michiana area.”
Plans call for construction to begin fall 2023 and conclude spring
