Midwest Initiative Supports Wind Energy

The Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative is identifying wind generation resources for Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota and how best to locate wind farms and other renewable sources.Photo: Creative Commons CC-BY-SA-2.5

Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota have created the Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative to identify wind generation resources, transmission projects and infrastructure needed to support those resources in a cost-effective manner.

Over the next year, the participating states will determine a reasonable allocation of regional costs, which will lead to the development of a concrete plan or tariff proposal for the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO).

The Midwest states will coordinate efforts with state regulatory agencies, transmission companies, utilities and independent generation owners. The states will work closely with MISO, which is now conducting a variety of transmission planning studies with results expected in 2009.

“The time is right for planning and coordination between these states in the Midwest ISO,” said Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said. “As states in the region increase their use of wind energy, planning on how best to locate wind farms and other renewable sources and build the necessary transmission infrastructure to support them is crucial.”

Minnesota is a national leader on renewable energy initiatives. In 2007, Governor Pawlenty proposed and signed into law the nation’s leading renewable energy standard, requiring 25 percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2025. Minnesota currently ranks fourth in the nation for installed wind energy generation.

“This effort complements and meshes very well with ongoing initiatives at MISO and the Midwest Governors Association,” said Governor Michael Rounds of South Dakota, who is also the current chair of the Midwest Governor’s Association.

“Coordinated transmission planning centered on renewable energy is critical to providing a diverse supply of affordable, clean energy to our region,” said Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. “The coordinated transmission planning we are announcing today matches the recommendations made in a report by Wisconsin’s Global Warming Task Force.”

“I’m committed to Iowa’s continued production of renewable energy,” said Iowa Governor Chet Culver. “A critical issue is cost sharing, and I am confident that this group of like-minded states can work through that difficult issue.”

The Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative will hold its first meeting in October. Following the meeting, a project timeline, scope statement, work plan, and identification of appropriate stakeholders will be available.