ITC Great Plains LLC has advised Southwest Power Pool, Inc. of its commitment to construct, own, operate and maintain the northern portion of SPP's "X Plan." The 180-mile long transmission project calls for the installation of a transmission line commencing at the Spearville substation located northeast of Dodge City, Kansas, and running southeast to Comanche County, Kansas, where ITC Great Plains will construct a new switchyard. The line will then run from the Comanche County switchyard northeast toward Wichita, Kansas.

SPP is responsible for regional transmission planning and coordination in a multi-state area that includes Kansas.

The line will help spur economic development in Kansas, facilitate wind energy, and improve the reliability of the state's electricity grid. ITC Great Plains anticipates the project will be in service by late 2010 subject to timely receipt of regulatory approvals.

"We believe that this project supports a number of important initiatives in the state, including Governor Kathleen Sebelius' vision for greater access to the grid for renewable resources as well as the Kansas Electric Transmission Authority's vision for a robust transmission grid," said Carl Huslig, president of ITC Great Plains.