LaSalle is an approximately 160-mile transmission line proposed to connect three existing 345kV substations operated by the PJM Regional Transmission Operator. These three substations are the Pontiac-Midpoint substation near Pontiac, Illinois; the Reynolds substation near Reynolds, Indiana; and the Dumont substation near North Liberty, Indiana.
New substations may also be constructed along the transmission line to serve as points where additional wind could interconnect to the transmission system.
Sharon Segner, director of project development at LS Power, said: “LaSalle will be routed through some of the most promising areas in Illinois and Indiana for wind development – areas that currently have limited access to the high-voltage transmission system. LaSalle will provide both a means for wind generation to connect to the transmission system and an outlet for the wind generation to be delivered to load.”
The project is being developed by Central Transmission, a new transmission company and member of LS Power Group.
PJM does not currently have a planning process in place to evaluate renewable-based transmission projects like LaSalle. In addition to renewable benefits, LaSalle will also provide a means to relieve congestion in Illinois and Indiana. Central Transmission anticipates that LaSalle may be approved as an ‘economic’ transmission project and, as such, filed a proposal with PJM to evaluate the project.
