COLUMBUS, OH – The Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) recently held its sixth annual
electric transmission meeting in Columbus, Ohio. The meeting, Grid Modernization: Understanding
Technology Advancements, brought together governors’ staff, state utility commissioners, energy
companies, federal partners and other industry stakeholders to discuss emerging technologies.
“Renewable and affordable energy is a key driver of economic growth in all Midwestern states,” said
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, Chair of the MGA. “As capabilities and cost effectiveness of
technology have improved, so has our access to renewable energies like wind and solar. These recent
technology advancements can help utilities and state regulators meet future energy goals.”
Industry representatives discussed innovations in renewables like solar and wind, as well as energy
storage and its impact on the grid. Commissioners from three Midwestern states discussed steps they are
taking to prepare for these new technologies. Other discussion topics included transmission infrastructure,
capacity and reliability of the grid, and the resources needed for improvements.
Jesse Heier, executive director of the MGA, said, “Electric transmission planning serves as a great
example of how Midwestern governors are collaborating across state borders to strengthen our regional
economy, maintain competitive energy prices, and ensure grid reliability.”
This was the sixth meeting the MGA hosted to highlight the steady progress in planning for the electric
transmission needs of the future. The meeting was a kick-off event for a multi-year project the MGA is
undertaking on modernizing the electric grid.
More information on the MGA’s transmission and grid modernization efforts is available at
www.midwesterngovernors.org/transmission.htm.
Up next for the MGA is an America’s Smartland Series titled Grid Modernization: Integrating Solar
Energy. This series will explore the Midwest’s solar opportunities, the benefits of different types of solar
deployment, the market and policy landscape, and regional lessons learned that can be applied to future
electric system innovations. More information is available online at
www.midwesterngovernors.org/solar.htm.