Niles AreaTransmission Improvements Project: Niles North

Indiana Michigan Power representatives plan to upgrade the power grid in the Niles area by making improvements to the transmission infrastructure.

The Niles Area Transmission Improvements Project includes power line and substation improvements in several components. The Niles North component, located in Cass County, Michigan, involves:

• Expanding the existing 69-kilovolt (kV) Kenzie Creek Substation located on the corner of Thompson Road and White Street in Niles
• Rebuilding the 138-kV Pokagon Substation located off Barron Lake Road southwest of Cook Street
• Building approximately 1.5 miles of new 69-kV transmission line

The project strengthens the local transmission grid and improves electric reliability for area customers. Replacing or improving aging substation equipment reduces the likelihood of service interruptions.

Summer 2024: O.R. Colan (ORC) serves as I&M’s right-of-way representative on this project. Landowners can expect to hear from a right-of-way agent in the near future. Company representatives may need to supplement or acquire new easements for the transmission line. Easements are defined land rights that property owners grant the utility to allow for the safe construction, operation and maintenance of the power line.