ITC Midwest Newsletter
June 2026
Growth is Delivering Affordability
A message from ITC Midwest President Dusky Terry
At ITC Midwest, we have consistently said that responsible load growth is key to long-term affordability while maintaining reliability – and that strategy is taking shape.
For nearly two decades, we have invested in strengthening the transmission system, improving reliability, reducing congestion and expanding capacity to serve future demand. These significant investments have delivered measurable results, including a 77% reduction in transmission outages. However, with load growth largely flat during that time, the fixed costs of building and maintaining the system were spread across a stable customer base.
That is now changing.
New large loads – primarily driven by data center development – are increasing demand and expanding our customer base. As a result, fixed transmission costs can be spread across more energy sales to improve affordability. ITC Midwest’s investments in the system since 2007 have been critical in enabling the significant load growth we’re seeing today.
Our latest forecast shows that ITC Midwest’s network transmission rate is projected to decrease by approximately 20% by 2030.
This progress reinforces that responsible load growth is the most effective path to improving affordability while maintaining the reliable service our customers depend on. As we continue to support this growth, we remain focused on safety, reliability and delivering lasting value to the customers and communities we serve.
Big Cedar Substation Energized
ITC Midwest reached a major milestone in March with the energization of its Big Cedar Substation – demonstrating how the company is supporting economic growth and delivering long-term value.
Located in Cedar Rapids, the company’s largest substation to date strengthens the grid and meets rising demand. The substation expands transmission capacity, improves reliability and enhances grid resilience. A second phase is scheduled to be energized later this year. A synchronous condenser will also be installed adjacent to the substation to help maintain stable voltage levels across the grid.
ITC Midwest appreciates the partnership with Alliant Energy, the City of Cedar Rapids, the City of Fairfax, Linn County officials, local community leaders and many others. Their ongoing leadership and support have been essential to facilitating economic growth in the area.
Learn more and view a video highlighting the substation’s construction and scale below.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Highlights
ITC Midwest's Focus on Affordability
The Big Cedar Substation and additional ITC Midwest line projects in development will deliver reliable transmission infrastructure across the region, including supporting the QTS Data Center campus in Cedar Rapids.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited the QTS construction site in April for an event that highlighted the project’s role in driving significant economic growth and supporting customer affordability. He noted that data centers like QTS can be developed without increasing electricity prices. In his remarks, Secretary Wright referenced that ITC Midwest’s network transmission rate is projected to decrease by approximately 20% by 2030.
The project demonstrates how strong partnerships and smart grid investments deliver lasting benefits.
Recap of Spring Partners in Business
ITC Midwest’s Partners in Business meeting in Albert Lea, Minn. on April 29 provided an opportunity to share updates, address questions and strengthen relationships with customers and partners.
Cheri Monahan, Director of Customer and Business Solutions, further explored how transmission investment and economic development work together to deliver long-term value. She emphasized that proactive transmission development is essential for attracting large customers, including data centers, which prioritize locations with a strong and reliable grid. Upfront infrastructure enables growth and delivers benefits for new and existing customers, communities and the economy.
Casey Woodside, Senior Account Manager, reviewed the load study and interconnection request process, including how ITC Midwest offers free processing of interconnection requests.
Other presenters provided updates on transmission projects, regulatory activities and operational planning.
The fall meeting is scheduled to be held in Cedar Rapids and virtually on October 6.
Speed to Power
A coalition of electric utilities, including ITC, is urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to modernize outdated federal rules that delay critical transmission projects. Current rules can add up to 20 months to project timelines, increase costs, postpone customer connections and threaten the nation’s ability to meet surging electricity demand.
The coalition is calling for targeted reforms to accelerate transmission development. These changes would bring new generation online faster, improve reliability, lower costs and support continued economic growth. Organizations representing major growth areas in Iowa have submitted letters to FERC in support of the coalition’s efforts.
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