Michigan's Largest Transmission Company Plans Hundreds of Miles of New Power Lines

ITC Michigan says the expansion will bring cheaper, more reliable electricity, but neighbors worry about property values and development pressure.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:31pm

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Michigan's largest transmission company, ITC Michigan, is planning to build more than 350 miles of new high-voltage power lines across the Lower Peninsula in the coming years, starting with a 50-mile segment near Lansing. Company officials say the new lines will bring cheaper power and more reliability, connecting Michigan more closely to the regional grid. However, the expansion is drawing pushback from neighbors who fear despoiled views, diminished property values, and subsequent development pressure from energy-hungry businesses.

Why it matters

The planned transmission line expansion is part of a larger effort by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator to upgrade the regional grid across 15 Midwestern states and Manitoba, Canada. The new lines are intended to help curtail electricity costs by enabling the delivery of cheaper power from out-of-state sources like wind and solar. But the project has raised concerns among local residents about the potential impact on their communities.

The details

ITC Michigan, which owns and maintains 9,100 miles of transmission lines in the Lower Peninsula, says the expansion is needed to cut back on power outages, save ratepayers money, and make way for economic growth. The company plans to seek approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission for its preferred route, which will involve negotiating with landowners and clearing a 200-foot-wide by 50-mile-long expanse for 125-plus-foot-tall metal poles and wires.

  • ITC Michigan unveiled route options for the planned mid-Michigan segment in January 2026.
  • The company plans to hold seven open houses in the coming weeks to gather community feedback.
  • ITC aims to file a construction plan with state regulators late in 2026, including its preferred route and at least one alternative.

The players

ITC Michigan

The company that owns and maintains 9,100 miles of electrical transmission lines in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, and is planning the expansion of more than 350 miles of new high-voltage power lines.

Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)

The nonprofit organization that manages the regional grid across 15 Midwestern states and Manitoba, Canada, and has approved $21.8 billion in long-range transmission projects that are expected to come online between 2032 and 2034.

Charles Marshall

The president of ITC Michigan and vice president of its parent company, ITC Holdings Corp.

Marilyn Johnson

A resident of Williamstown Township whose home sits along one of the proposed transmission line routes.

Steve Lott

The supervisor of Alaiedon Township, a farming community southwest of Lansing that sits along the transmission line's likely route.

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What they’re saying

“These aren't easy conversations to have. I recognize that it's personal property, it's real estate, and we need a right-of-way.”

— Charles Marshall, President of ITC Michigan and Vice President of ITC Holdings Corp.

“Instead of listening to the birds, we're going to be listening to the buzzing of a high-voltage power line.”

— Marilyn Johnson

“I would prefer it not to be through the township, but I do know that there's a need for it, so it really needs to go through the least impactful route for my residents.”

— Steve Lott, Supervisor of Alaiedon Township

What’s next

After community listening sessions, summer open houses for affected landowners, and public meetings this fall, ITC aims to file a construction plan with state regulators late in 2026, including its preferred route and at least one alternative.

The takeaway

The planned transmission line expansion highlights the ongoing tension between the need for reliable, affordable electricity infrastructure and the concerns of local communities about the potential impacts on their neighborhoods. As Michigan and the broader Midwest region work to modernize the grid and integrate more renewable energy, navigating these competing interests will be crucial.