ITC Awarded For Environmental Stewardship

NOVI, Mich., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ITC Holdings Corp. received the Grasslands Project Award and nine other conservation certifications for environmental projects from the Wildlife Habitat Council at the organization's 2017 Conservation Conference held Nov. 8-9, 2017 in Baltimore.

ITC Michigan earned the Grasslands Project Award for its native plant restoration work on the transmission corridor crossing the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan.  Four applications of native seed mixes enhanced the existing native plant diversity in the ITC electricity transmission corridor at the center from 2012 through 2016. These native species provide larval host plants, nectar and pollen sources throughout the growing season, and nesting and cover materials for native pollinators. ITC has conducted annual invasive species treatments within the Chippewa Nature Center transmission corridor since 2010 through mowing, hand-pulling, seed head collecting, foliar and cut-stump herbicide applications, and biological control to encourage the establishment of native forbs, graminoids and shrubs most beneficial to native pollinators.

In addition to the Grasslands Project Award, the company received its newest Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certification for native plant restoration work in the ITC Midwest transmission line right-of-way at McLoud Run Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  ITC installed two seed mixtures (Dry-Mesic Shortgrass Prairie Mix and Tallgrass Prairie Pollinator Mix) across 22 acres of the McCloud Run corridor in June 2016.  Prior to the restoration work, the transmission corridor consisted primarily of disturbed or incompatible vegetation and managed turf grass areas.

ITC Certified Projects Total 15
ITC also earned eight continued conservation certifications from the Wildlife Habitat Council for environmental projects in Michigan and Iowa.  ITC holds six other program certifications in these states, which will be reviewed for continued certification in the coming years.  In total, the company now has 15 certified programs under Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certification.

These and other ITC efforts fall under the company's ISO 14001-based environmental management system, which focuses on environmental sustainability in ITC facilities as well as in the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of its electricity transmission systems.

"It's important for us to be good stewards of the environment," said Jon Jipping, ITC's chief operating officer. "Our environmental commitment starts and ends with our employees who have embraced waste reduction, conservation and habitat projects across our company.  Our transmission infrastructure plays a large role in the surrounding environment, and it's up to us to continue to lead the charge of giving back to it."

The Wildlife Habitat Council works with corporations, conservation groups and communities to create habitat and increase biodiversity. "Companies can play a vital role in conservation programs, as demonstrated by ITC," said Margaret O'Gorman, president, Wildlife Habitat Council.  "ITC's certified programs are proof of its ongoing commitment to environmental education."

The eight continued Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certifications for ITC projects in Michigan and Iowa include:

ITC Michigan:

• Stony Creek Metropark Corridor in Macomb County, Mich. ? certified in 2009, recertified in 2011, 2014 and 2017
• Sterling State Park Corridor in Monroe County, Mich. ? certified in 2015, recertified in 2017
• Wolcott Mill Metropark Corridor in Macomb County, Mich. ? certified in 2010, recertified in 2012, 2014 and 2017
• Sand Point Nature Preserve in Huron County, Mich. ? certified in 2013, recertified in 2015 and 2017
• Crow Island State Game Area in Saginaw County, Mich. ? certified in 2013, recertified in 2015 and 2017

ITC Midwest ? Iowa:

• Beverly Park in Linn County, Iowa ? certified in 2015, recertified in 2017
• Squaw Creek Park in Linn County, Iowa ? certified in 2015, recertified in 2017
• Sac and Fox Trail in Linn County, Iowa ? certified in 2015, recertified in 2017

ITC holds six other program certifications in Michigan and Iowa, which will be reviewed for continued certification in the coming years:

ITC Michigan:

• ITC Headquarters in Novi, Oakland County, Mich. ? certified in 2010, recertified in 2012 and 2015.
• Chippewa Nature Center Corridor in Midland County, Mich. ? certified in 2012, recertified in 2014
• Belleville Warehouse in Wayne County, Mich. ? certified in 2014, recertified in 2016
• Wayland Warehouse in Allegan County, Mich. ? certified in 2014, recertified in 2016
• Tomlinson Arboretum in Clinton Township, Macomb County, Mich. ? certified in 2014, recertified in 2016

ITC Midwest ? Iowa:

• Iowa City Warehouse in Johnson County, Iowa ? certified in 2013, recertified in 2015

About ITC Holdings Corp.
ITC is the largest independent electricity transmission company in the United States. Based in Novi, Michigan, ITC invests in the electric transmission grid to improve reliability, expand access to markets, allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems and lower the overall cost of delivered energy. Through its regulated operating subsidiaries ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission infrastructure in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, and in development in Wisconsin. These systems serve a combined peak load exceeding 26,000 megawatts along approximately 15,800 circuit miles of transmission line, supported by 660 employees and nearly 1,000 contractors across our expanding footprint. ITC's grid development focus includes growth through regulated infrastructure investment as well as domestic and international expansion through merchant and other commercial development opportunities. For further information visit www.itc-holdings.com. ITC is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For further information visit www.fortisinc.com

About ITC Michigan
ITC owns and operates two subsidiaries in Michigan:  ITCTransmission and METC (collectively, ITC Michigan). The two systems comprise approximately 8,700 circuit miles of transmission line serving most of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

About ITC Midwest
ITC Midwest owns and operates more than 6,600 circuit miles of transmission lines in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri, and holds utility status in Wisconsin.

About the Wildlife Habitat Council
Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) promotes and certifies habitat conservation and management on corporate lands through partnerships and education. WHC Conservation Certification programs take corporate sustainability goals and objectives and translate them into tangible and measurable on-the-ground actions. Through a focus on building collaboration for conservation with corporate employees, other conservation organizations, government agencies and community members, WHC programs focus on healthy ecosystems and connected communities. WHC-assisted wildlife habitat and conservation education programs are found in 47 states and 22 countries. To learn more, visit www.wildlifehc.org.

SOURCE ITC Holdings Corp.