NOVI, Mich., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At a time when critical infrastructure security is a national priority, ITC Holdings Corp. has been recognized for its efforts to safeguard the reliability of the high voltage electric system in Michigan.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), an international regulatory authority for the reliability of the bulk power system in North America, cited ITC's system security operations as an Example of Excellence as part of its Reliability Readiness Evaluation and Improvement Program. The document highlights ITC's efforts to implement physical protections, stating "ITC operates an extensive physical security program comprised of many sophisticated security systems which provide an extremely effective system of protection for its physical assets."
"ITC takes its commitment to grid security seriously, and we are quite pleased that NERC has recognized our efforts in this Example of Excellence," said Joseph L. Welch, chairman, president and CEO, ITC. "Protecting geographically dispersed assets in a mix of urban and rural settings requires substantial thought, planning and effort to develop integrated systems that provide effective protection.
"ITC's vigilance in overseeing the nation's transmission system is an essential element in protecting electric reliability as well as national security," Welch added. "We have seen security incidents at some of our substations reduced from half a dozen annually to zero after implementing our physical security program."
Among the positive observations NERC included in its Example of Excellence:
-- Critical ITC substations are protected 24/7 by a sophisticated integrated security system that includes elements like barbed wire perimeter fencing, closed circuit television cameras, photo-beam motion detection devices, intrusion monitors, access control, cyber locks, and audible alarms. -- Access to ITC's headquarters and system control center are restricted through artificial and natural barriers, a security checkpoint and steel gates. The building is equipped with layered access control devices, closed circuit television cameras, and, in the hardened area which houses the control room, a tailgate-proof pod and biometric identification systems. About ITC Holdings Corp.
ITC Holdings Corp. invests in the electricity transmission grid to improve electric reliability, improve access to markets, and lower the overall cost of delivered energy. ITC is the largest independent electricity transmission company in the country. Through its subsidiaries, ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC) and ITC Midwest LLC, ITC operates regulated, high-voltage transmission systems in Michigan's Lower Peninsula and portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri serving a combined peak load in excess of 25,000 megawatts. ITC is also focused on new areas where significant transmission system improvements are needed through subsidiaries ITC Grid Development, ITC Great Plains and ITC Panhandle Transmission. For more information, please visit: http://www.itc-holdings.com/. (itc-ITC)
