THE WOODLANDS, Texas — MISO will examine one of the long-range transmission projects from its first portfolio following a cost increase of more than two and a half.
MISO announced that it will conduct a variance analysis on the planned 345-kV Morrison Ditch-Reynolds-Burr Oak-Leesburg-Hiple line in Illinois and Indiana, which has climbed from an estimated $261 million to $675 million. The project was approved in 2022 under MISO’s first long-range transmission plan (LRTP) portfolio.
Northern Indiana Public Service Co. is handling the upgrade of existing 138-kV lines with about 37 miles of 345-kV lines.
During MISO Board Week on Dec. 10, Executive Director of Transmission Planning Laura Rauch confirmed the cost increase triggered the study process. She said MISO will share more details once it finishes the analysis.
MISO performs variance analyses on transmission projects when they encounter schedule overruns or significant design changes or experience a cost increase of at least 25% from original estimates. After completing the analysis, MISO can either let projects stand, cancel them or assign them to different developers, if possible.
Rauch said other projects from the first LRTP portfolio remain on budget, with overall portfolio costs holding steady around the originally estimated $10.3 billion.
MISO’s End-Use Customer sector has requested that the RTO and stakeholders discuss transmission cost-containment measures in planning meetings over 2025.
