The $320m-$370m rebuild of the 500kV line between the Mt Storm substation in West Virginia and the Doubs substation in Maryland will increase the capacity of the line by more than 60% by improving electrical clearance and adding conductors.
In addition, the board reaffirmed the need to move ahead with the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) project.
Originally approved in 2007, the 277-mile, 765kV PATH project between West Virginia and Frederick, Maryland, has a required in-service date of 1 June 2015 and an estimated cost of $2.1bn.
During 2010, the PJM board has authorized $3.92bn in transmission additions and upgrades as part of PJM’s 15-year Regional Transmission Expansion Plan.
More than $19.02bn in transmission improvements has been authorized since PJM’s formal planning process began in 2000.
