Missouri River Energy Services gains transmission-owner status in Midwest ISO
The Board of Directors of the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (Midwest ISO) today approved the application of Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) to become a transmission-owning member of the regional transmission operator. Full integration could come as early as June 2011, subject to regulatory and creditor reviews and approvals.
MRES has participated as a non-transmission owner since Midwest ISO was established and will continue to participate in the organization’s regional planning process, which aims to identify the most effective locations and means for generation and transmission improvements. MRES will continue to receive reliability coordination services from the Midwest ISO.
“MRES is pleased that Midwest ISO has approved our becoming a transmission owner,” said Missouri River Energy Services CEO Tom Heller. “We are participating in some of the earliest CapX2020 projects as an owner participant and look forward to more opportunities as a Midwest ISO transmission owner.”
CapX2020 is a joint initiative of 11 transmission-owning utilities in Minnesota and the surrounding region to expand the electric transmission grid to ensure continued reliable and affordable service.
“We are honored that Missouri River Energy Services has chosen to become part of Midwest ISO as a transmission-owning member,” said Midwest ISO President and Chief Executive Officer John Bear. “We look forward to working with their team to deliver a smooth transition so that MRES may begin accessing the value the Midwest marketplace can provide to them.”
MRES is a joint-action agency that provides electric power and energy as well as a wide variety of energy-related services to its 60 member municipalities in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Each MRES member owns and operates a local electric distribution system.
Midwest ISO, headquartered in Carmel, Ind., ensures reliable operation of, and equal access to high-voltage power lines in 13 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the Midwest ISO as the nation’s first regional transmission organization in 2001.