Federal officials back wind energy 'superhighway'

clipped from www.worldofrenewables.com Novi, Mich.-based ITC Holdings Corp. filed its rate and incentives application in February. On Monday, FERC approved a 12.38 percent return on investment for the project, which is expected to cost $10 billion to $12 billion. The "Green Power Express" would surge with 12,000 megawatts of wind-generated power. The extra-high voltage transmission lines would spread across the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana to deliver wind power to Chicago and points east. Just one megawatt of generated power can supply about 300 homes; the Green Power Express promises to deliver wind-generated electricity to 3.6 million homes. "We're very pleased with the quick action and a very supportive order," said Joe Dudak, vice president, major contracts and special projects for ITC. "There are several obstacles ahead for us, but this is a great first step."