Novi, Michigan, September 7, 2025
News Summary
ITC Michigan has been awarded the Edison Electric Institute Emergency Response Award for its remarkable recovery efforts after a devastating ice storm hit northern Michigan. The storm, which occurred in March, caused extensive power outages and severe damage to the infrastructure. Thousands were affected, but ITC successfully coordinated a comprehensive recovery plan that restored services and showcased the resilience of Michigan’s electric grid.
Novi, Michigan – ITC Michigan has been recognized with the prestigious Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Emergency Response Award for its astounding recovery efforts following a devastating ice storm that struck northern Michigan in late March 2025. The award, announced on September 4, 2025, acknowledges the extraordinary assistance provided by electric companies during service disruptions caused by severe weather or natural events.
Each winner of the EEI Emergency Response Award is selected through an international nomination process by a panel of judges. ITC Michigan received this honor during the EEI’s Fall Board of Directors and Chief Executives Meeting, where its response to the severe ice storm of March 28-30, 2025, was commended. The storm led to a significant accumulation of ice, causing extensive power outages across the region.
Following the ice storm, a windstorm further exacerbated conditions, resulting in nine confirmed tornadoes and causing catastrophic damage to ITC Michigan’s infrastructure. This event marked the most severe system damage in the company’s history, impacting 23 transmission lines and 17 substations. ITC crews were continuously challenged by worsening conditions, requiring them to repair downed lines repeatedly as additional lines fell victim to ice-laden trees.
The recovery efforts took more than five days and included coordination between ITC Michigan, distribution utilities, and Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center to restore essential transmission services. Key repairs involved replacing 16 damaged wood poles, fixing three broken crossarms, reinstating conductors at 20 locations, and clearing debris from 28 sites along 272 miles of transmission lines. The need for these repairs highlighted the storm as a severe stress test for critical infrastructure.
It was reported that the storm caused outages equivalent to those typically experienced over an entire year on ITC Michigan’s 138 kV transmission system. However, prior investments in strengthening Michigan’s electric infrastructure proved beneficial, with rebuilt lines maintaining their integrity during the storm.
The EEI, which represents U.S. investor-owned electric companies, plays a pivotal role in providing safe and reliable electricity to nearly 250 million Americans. ITC Holdings Corp., the parent company of ITC Michigan, is recognized as the largest independent electricity transmission company in the U.S., with its headquarters based in Novi, Michigan. ITC Michigan operates approximately 9,100 circuit miles of transmission line through its subsidiaries ITCTransmission and METC in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
The impact of the ice storm prompted Governor Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of emergency for ten counties initially affected, later expanded to include two additional counties. Consequently, the Michigan National Guard was deployed to facilitate road clearing and debris removal operations in the northern regions of the state as recovery efforts ensued.
Reports indicated that over 159,000 customers remained without power in the aftermath of the storm, leading to slow restoration efforts. Full electric service restoration in some areas was expected to take days or even longer. Hospitals were particularly challenged, having to rely on generators while awaiting power restoration. Many residents faced difficulties due to prolonged outages and harsh winter conditions, leading to discomfort and hardships. Further complicating recovery, additional wintry weather was forecasted, posing more challenges to the ongoing efforts.
Key Features of ITC Michigan’s Emergency Response
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Award Received | Edison Electric Institute Emergency Response Award |
| Ice Storm Dates | March 28-30, 2025 |
| Impact | 23 transmission lines and 17 substations affected |
| Crew Challenges | Repaired downed lines in worsening conditions |
| Infrastructure Repairs | Replaced 16 poles, fixed 3 crossarms |
| Customers Affected | Over 159,000 customers without power |
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Additional Resources
- PR Newswire: EEI Announces ITC Michigan as Emergency Response Award Recipient
- Wikipedia: Edison Electric Institute
- The Detroit News: Crews Work to Restore Power After Northern Michigan Ice Storm
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ice Storm
- PR Newswire: ITC Holdings Corp Announces Organizational Changes
- Google Search: MI Power Grid Resilience
- MITech News: ITC Michigan Helps Boost Power Grid Resilience
- Google News: Michigan Power Outage Ice Storm
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
