(COLDWATER) - ITC Michigan will conduct low-flying helicopter inspections of high-voltage transmission lines across much of Michigan's Lower Peninsula between May 27 and June 30.
In Branch County and nearby areas, including Hillsdale, St. Joseph, Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties, the inspections are scheduled for June 12-17, weather permitting.
The aerial patrols are part of routine inspections designed to evaluate the condition of transmission structures, power lines and equipment.
During the inspections, helicopters will fly at low altitudes while crews look for signs of equipment wear, lightning damage and vegetation that could interfere with electrical service.
ITC said the flights are a standard requirement under North American Electric Reliability Corporation standards and are part of ongoing efforts to maintain reliability across the transmission system.
The inspections will cover approximately 9,100 circuit miles of transmission lines operated by ITC Transmission and the Michigan Electric Transmission Company.