LEC-Map

About the Project: The ITC Lake Erie Connector is a proposed 1,000 MW, bi-directional, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) underwater transmission line that would provide the first direct link between Ontario and the largest electrical market in the world – 13 U.S. Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states. The project will connect the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and the U.S. PJM Interconnection (PJM) regional transmission organizations serving these markets. 

Benefits: This project will help deliver more affordable, cost-effective electricity to customers as a result of increased energy trading between these power markets. Each region will have enhanced optionality to manage their energy needs and policy goals and respond to shifting supply/demand conditions, outages, and system planning requirements. The project also will help improve the reliability and security of the respective energy grids. These benefits can be realized through maximized use of existing assets and without taxpayer subsidies.

Developer: This project is being developed by ITC Holdings Corp., the largest independent electricity transmission company in the United States and a subsidiary of Canada-based Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. ITC acquired the rights to develop the Lake Erie Connector project from Lake Erie Power Corp. in June 2014.

Project Status: The Lake Erie Connector project is fully permitted in Canada and the United States. Remaining key milestones include completing project cost refinements and securing favorable transmission service agreements with prospective counterparties. Upon completion of these steps, we expect to begin construction in 2020, complete construction in 2022, and enter commercial operation in 2023.test

 
  • Posted Jul 20, 2018

    ITC Holdings releases updated Lake Erie commitments tracking table.

    View Tracking Table
  • Posted May 23, 2018

    View the latest project overview presentation for full details on the Lake Erie Connector project.
  • Posted May 21, 2018

    Read the latest update on the Lake Erie Connector project in the June 2018 newsletter.
  • Posted Oct 26, 2017

    ITC Lake Erie Connector LLC commends the Ontario Government on its 2017 Long-Term Energy Plan and charting a path for a more reliable, efficient and affordable energy future for the province, including a focus on reforming the energy market to support import and export of energy between jurisdictions.

    View the press release
  • Posted Oct 24, 2017

    On October 16, 2017, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the necessary permits for the ITC Lake Erie Connector transmission line. This approval completed the major permit application process for the project in the U.S. and Canada.

    View the ITC Press Release
  • Posted Jun 28, 2017

    On June 26, 2017, Canada's National Energy Board (NEB) issued a Certificate of Public Convenience Necessity for the project

    View the ITC Press Release
    View the NEB Certificate
    View the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection permits issued on May 25, 2017:
    State Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit
    National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities
  • Posted Jan 19, 2017

    On January 19, 2017, Canada's National Energy Board (NEB) recommended issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the project.

    View the ITC PRESS RELEASE
    VIEW THE NEB REPORT

  • Posted Jan 12, 2017

    On January 12, 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy granted the project a Presidential Permit, which is required for international border-crossing projects. 

    VIEW THE ITC PRESS RELEASE
    View the Presidential Permit

  • Posted Mar 14, 2016

    ITC is now in bilateral negotiations with prospective counter parties which participated in the company's open solicitation process in 2015 for transmission capacity on the line.

    VIEW THE ITC PRESS RELEASE
    VIEW NOTICE OF OPEN SOLICITATION FOR TRANSMISSION CAPACITY
    VIEW PROJECT PRESENTATION

  • Posted Jan 29, 2016

    ITC filed a joint permit application with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on January 29, 2016.  

    VIEW THE ITC PRESS RELEASE

  • Posted May 29, 2015

    ITC filed a major PERMIT APPLICATION with the U.S. Department of Energy on May 29, 2015. 

    VIEW THE ITC PRESS RELEASE

  • Posted May 22, 2015

    ITC filed a major PERMIT APPLICATION with Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) on May 22, 2015. 

    VIEW THE ITC PRESS RELEASE

    The NEB issued a Completeness Determination on October 19, 2015 - VIEW IN ENGLISH; VIEW IN FRENCH

    The ITC Lake Erie Connector NEB Application is available for public viewing at THESE LOCATIONS.
  • Posted Mar 09, 2015

    ITC has held or participated in numerous public consultations in Ontario and Pennsylvania -- the respective terrestrial points of the line -- to discuss the project and gather community input.  
  • Posted Jan 05, 2015

    ITC submitted a PROJECT DESCRIPTION to the National Energy Board of Canada in January 2015.
  • Posted Sep 15, 2014

    The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved ITC’s request for confirmation of negotiated rate authority for the Lake Erie Connector project in September 2014. This approval allowed ITC to engage interested customers and conduct a formal, non-binding open solicitation for capacity on the line.
  • Posted Jun 16, 2014

    ITC has completed the necessary system impact studies in IESO and PJM, signed service agreements with the manufacturers of the converter stations and the submarine cable, and secured nearly all land necessary for the terrestrial cable route, converter stations and construction laydown areas.
 
 

QUESTIONS? CONTACT DIRECTOR, DOUG MOTLEY, ITC GRID DEVELOPMENT, DMOTLEY@ITCTRANSCO.COM (248) 946-3588