Senate Bill 1105 Summary

• Amends the Electric Transmission Line Certification Act to create a new category of "qualified transmission company" eligible to obtain certificates for transmission line construction, in addition to electric utilities, affiliated transmission companies, and independent transmission companies.

• Defines qualified transmission companies as entities designated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or regional transmission organizations that either have obtained or are applying for a certificate, or are conducting specified activities related to transmission projects.

• Requires entities planning major transmission line construction to submit construction plans to the Michigan Public Service Commission, hold public meetings in affected municipalities, and provide public notice before applying for a certificate.

• Establishes a one-year timeline for the commission to grant or deny certificate applications and grants affected municipalities and landowners full intervenor status in certification proceedings.

• Provides that approved transmission line costs up to the certified amount shall be recoverable in electric utility rates, and allows the commission to assess application fees and require applicants to hire commission-selected consultants for evaluation.