News : ITC Midwest conducting aerial patrols of transmission lines

ITC Midwest announced that it will be conducting aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission structures and lines throughout its service territory from approximately September 23 - October 1, weather permitting. Helicopter patrols provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system owned and operated by ITC Midwest.

The flights taking place across our area of the ITC Midwest service territory include the Central Zone.

The flights will be conducted in the Ames, Ankeny, Boone, Cedar Rapids, Dysart, Gladbrook, Iowa Falls, Marengo, Marion, Marshalltown, Newton, Palo, Perry, Vinton and Williamsburg areas. Iowa counties in the aerial patrol areas include Adair, Benton, Boone, Cass, Dallas, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hardin, Iowa, Jasper, Linn, Marshall, Polk, Story and Tama.

These patrols are a North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirement for ITC Midwest's vegetation management program, support proactive maintenance objectives, and align with the company's model for operational excellence. The flights will include the inspection of vegetation in the vicinity of transmission structures, wood poles, conductors (wires), insulators and other equipment.

The inspection flights are often conducted at low altitudes to facilitate accurate visual inspection of vegetation hazards. This is normal procedure, so there is no cause for alarm if a low-flying helicopter is sighted near transmission lines during the time frame listed above.