NIPSCO expects the benefits of a $270 million investment in 100 miles of new transmission lines will outweigh the costs, a company representative said Wednesday. The northern Indiana gas and electric company plans to finalize a route later this year for the lines connecting substations in Reynolds, Burr Oak and Topeka. Construction is planned for 2015 and the lines are expected to be in service by 2018. Customers may see an extra $1 annually on their bills starting that year to help cover the cost, Nick Meyer, director of external communications, said Wednesday. But he said additional power sources made available by the lines will likely offset the cost. Though NIPSCO generates most of its own power, Meyer said the transmission lines will increase the company’s options if there is cheaper electricity available outside the region. The project also will address congestion issues and offer increased reliability. The company also anticipates the project will improve access to wind and solar energy sources, increase property taxes paid to local governments by NIPSCO, and create new jobs and business for local suppliers – about 100 construction jobs may be created, Meyer noted. One of 17 such projects power companies are undertaking across the Midwest, this is NIPSCO’s first large transmission line project in decades, Meyer said. It was first announced in 2011. Lines will be supported by single-pole steel structures 130 feet tall and 880 feet apart – less of an eyesore than steel lattice towers normally seen, Meyers said. A 200-foot-wide path will be needed along the length of the installation, meaning land will need to be leased surrounding the towers. The lines will go through largely rural areas in Kosciusko and surrounding counties. Using input from residents and government and regulatory agencies, the company will zero in on a route in the coming months with an eye for minimizing the impact on the farming community. “A straight line would be easy, but we need to avoid towns and cities along the way. We want to cause the least amount of disruption along the way,” Meyer said. “But you could deduct the path roughly, with zags along the way.” He also noted environmental impact assessments have been done and found no risks to protected land or species. Public information sessions are scheduled in several towns along the path in February. The purpose of the open-house sessions is to gather input, answer questions and address concerns. • Topeka, 3-7 p.m. Feb. 4, Tiffany’s Restaurant, 414 E. Lake St. • Nappanee, 3-7 p.m. Feb. 5, Nappanee Elementary School Cafeteria, 755 E. Van Buren St. • Plymouth, 4-7 p.m. Feb. 6, Plymouth High School Cafeteria, 810 Randolph Drive. • Monticello, 4-7 p.m. Feb. 7, Best Western Brandywine, 304 S. 6th St.
