Canada, Pennsylvania approve ITC Lake Erie Connector project

ITC Lake Erie Connector LLC, a subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., recently received approval from Canada and the state of Pennsylvania for the proposed ITC Lake Erie Connector transmission line.

The proposed project is a 1,000 MW, bi-directional, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) underwater transmission line would provide the first direct link between the markets of the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM).

Canada’s Governor in Council approved the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the ITC Lake Erie Connector transmission line.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently issued two necessary permits for the project; a State Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit and a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities.

ITC also received a Presidential Permit from the U.S. Department of Energy.

“These are key milestones in the development of the Lake Erie Connector Project,” Terry Harvill, president of ITC Grid Development, said. “We appreciate the thorough attention given to our application by the Governor in Council, the National Energy Board and the state of Pennsylvania. This electric transmission interconnection under Lake Erie would provide Ontario with access to a new, large export market for excess electricity generation, and this bi-directional line also would allow less expensive, clean energy to flow into the province from the U.S.”

The project must still receive approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, complete project cost refinements and secure favorable transmission service agreements with prospective counterparties. ITC could then proceed with construction.