GridLiance Acquires Transmission Assets of the City of Nixa, Missouri

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Approves Acquisition

DALLAS & NIXA, Mo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GridLiance Holdco, L.P., (GridLiance) an independent transmission
company, has completed its acquisition of the City of Nixa’s electric
transmission assets, including a 10 mile, 69 kV transmission line
between the City of Springfield and the Southwestern Power
Administration, as well as four substations and related infrastructure.

“This transaction represents a major milestone in leveling the playing
field for municipalities that seek to enjoy the same benefits as large
utilities,” said Calvin Crowder, president and CEO, GridLiance. “We are
excited about the reliability and economic improvements the transaction
will bring to Southwest Missouri and we value immensely our ongoing
partnership with the City of Nixa.”

As the final major approval for this transaction, in an order issued on
March 15, 2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved
the application of GridLiance subsidiary, South Central MCN LLC, to
acquire the Nixa Assets “as consistent with the public interest.” The
Missouri Public Service Commission granted South Central a certificate
to operate as a public utility in Missouri in 2016.

With these approvals, GridLiance subsidiary, South Central MCN LLC, has
assumed full operational responsibility of Nixa’s transmission assets
effective April 1, 2018.

“The City of Nixa initially invested in a second transmission line to
ensure reliability,” said Doug Colvin, Director of Nixa Utilities and
Public Works. “However the ever changing regulatory and tariff process
makes it difficult for a small distribution utility like Nixa to operate
transmission today. That is why we are glad to partner with GridLiance,
who will handle operations and compliance issues while ensuring the
residents of Nixa continue to enjoy reliable transmission service.” For
electric customers inside Nixa city limits, it is important to know that
Nixa Utilities will continue to own the distribution lines which go to
homes and businesses in Nixa, and customers will continue to pay their
electric bills to Nixa Utilities. This transaction means Nixa Utilities
no longer have to maintain the transmission lines which connect the City
to the regional grid and power stations where electricity is generated.
Over time, the transaction will save the city money on transmission
costs.

About GridLiance

GridLiance is an electric transmission utility holding company. Based in
Dallas, TX, GridLiance is a portfolio company of Blackstone Energy
Partners, an affiliate of Blackstone (NYSE:BX), a leading energy
infrastructure investor. GridLiance’s differentiated business model is
to work with electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, irrigation
districts, and joint action agencies to plan for the future, invest in
electric infrastructure and implement strategies that meet its utility
partners’ ownership, capital investment, and operational goals.
GridLiance currently operates hundreds of miles of transmission lines
and related substation facilities in Nevada, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The
company has long-term partnerships with utility partners operating in
Missouri, Oklahoma, Nevada, Texas, and Kansas, and is negotiating new
arrangements with utilities in several other states. For more
information about GridLiance, visit www.GridLiance.com.

About City of Nixa and Nixa Utilities

A progressive and fast-growing community, Nixa Missouri is home to
approximately 21,000, making it the largest city in Christian County and
the second largest in the Springfield metro area. The City of Nixa
operates Nixa Utilities, a publicly owned electric, water, and sewer
utility. Additionally, the Nixa Public Works department performs street
maintenance, construction, recycling and provides equipment and vehicle
maintenance for all City departments, storage of utility equipment and
utility mapping for the municipality. In 2017, Nixa became home to
Missouri’s largest solar farm, generating up to 7.92 megawatts of clean,
renewable energy exclusively for Nixa Utilities customers.

Contacts

For GridLiance
Jesus Arredondo, 916-275-7493
jesus@ca-advantage.com