Regional and economic planning update

ATC is an active participant in a variety of regional and inter‑regional planning initiatives designed to maintain a reliable electric grid and capture economic benefits in a dynamic energy marketplace. Policy initiatives to curb greenhouse gas emissions and expand the use of renewable energy continue to evolve, and we work closely with our customers to plan for a regional electric grid that will serve their needs well into the future. 

MISO Transmission Expansion Planning

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator planning studies address long‑ and near‑term issues as well as targeted needs. Long‑term studies primarily look at value‑based options that provide economic benefits in the 10‑ to 20‑year horizon. Near‑term planning is primarily driven by reliability needs of regional transmission owners and compliance requirements of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation in a 5‑ to 10‑year period. 

ATC system planning staff participates in the MISO near‑term reliability and economic studies in a variety of ways: ensuring accurate project information is included in the MISO database, building and reviewing models, correlating needs identified by MISO analyses with specific ATC projects and participating in various studies and stakeholder forums. 

Market constraints

Two of the five Narrow Constrained Areas identified in the MISO region are associated with ATC, and we continue to track these and other constraints. Such tracking assists in planning projects that alleviate congestion within the MISO market. 

Other MISO planning activities

Our planning staff participate in various technical and policy discussions and provide future direction for MISO Transmission Expansion Plan activities. We also are involved in joint planning studies with neighboring regional transmission organizations, including PJM Interconnection (PJM) and Southwest Power Pool. 

MISO and PJM coordinate and conduct joint market efficiency project studies. These analyses are reviewed by an inter‑regional planning stakeholder advisory committee, which typically examines economic projects that could benefit both Regional Transmission Organizations and qualify for cross‑border cost‑sharing. 

Long Range Transmission Plan 

Over the past several years, ATC staff have actively engaged with the MISO Long Range Transmission Planning process. The focus of LRTP is to improve the ability to reliably move renewable energy across the MISO region at the lowest possible cost. This effort is part of MISO’s Reliability Imperative – the shared responsibility utilities, states, and MISO have to address ongoing resource fleet changes, extreme weather events, and other challenges facing the region. 

Several LRTP projects will connect to ATC’s existing service territory, and our staff continues to work with MISO and neighboring utilities to develop these projects. 

More information about ATC’s role in the MISO Long Range Transmission Plan can be found at this link.