ITC Great Plains, a subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corporation – the largest independent electricity transmission company in the US, operating approximately 470 circuit miles (756 circuit km) of transmission lines in Kansas and Oklahoma – will begin infrastructure improvements in Clark County, Kansas, focusing on upgrading the ground wire on existing transmission lines to enhance system reliability. This type of cable is used in overhead power lines. To minimize public impact, ITC Great Plains will utilize a helicopter with line personnel performing the work from the aircraft to complete this project.
The flights will be conducted primarily in the Spearville area. The flights are often conducted at low altitudes to facilitate accurate visual inspection of vegetation hazards, so the public has been informed not to be alarmed if a low-flying helicopter is sighted near transmission lines. Weather permitting, this project is anticipated to be completed by late June 2025.
In addition, as announced on May 5, 2025, ITC Midwest will be conducting aerial patrols of high voltage transmission structures and lines throughout its service territory from approximately May 12-23, 2025, weather permitting. Helicopter patrols will provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system owned and operated by ITC Midwest. The flights are taking place across the following zones of the ITC Midwest service territory – South (parts of Iowa, Missouri, Illinois), Central (parts of Iowa), and North (parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin).
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.