17:00 | 26.07.2010
American Transmission Co. Announces Plans for 150-Mile, 345-kV Transmission Line in Western Wisconsin
Following approximately two years of study and analysis, American
Transmission Co. has determined that a 345-kilovolt transmission line
from the La Crosse area to the greater Madison area would provide
multiple benefits to the state of Wisconsin including improved electric
system reliability, economic savings for utilities and energy consumers,
and access to additional renewable energy. As it finalizes its
evaluation of the multiple benefits of the project, ATC will begin the
public outreach efforts on the proposed Badger Coulee Transmission Line
and will host a series of open houses this fall with the public and
other stakeholders in the 150-mile area from La Crosse to Madison to
explore routing options for the new line.
“There are multiple benefit indicators that make the Badger Coulee
Transmission Line Project a plus for Wisconsin residents and the
Midwest,” says John Procario, ATC president, chairman and chief
executive officer. “It’s an exciting new project because it demonstrates
multiple benefits. Badger Coulee enhances electric system reliability;
it provides direct energy cost savings to electricity users, and it
supports the public’s desire for the greater use of renewable energy
resources.”
The Badger Coulee Transmission Line will improve electric system
reliability in western Wisconsin by providing increased regional
electric transfer capability into Wisconsin and alleviating stability
issues in the Upper Midwest. ATC’s studies also indicate that building a
more efficient high-voltage line offsets the need for approximately $140
million in lower-voltage upgrades in western Wisconsin communities.
The economic benefits of the Badger Coulee Transmission Line include
providing utilities with greater access to the wholesale electricity
market by reducing energy congestion. A new 345-kV line in western
Wisconsin will give utilities greater capability to buy and sell power
within the Midwest when it’s economic to do so, and those savings can be
passed on to electricity consumers. A 345-kV line also delivers
electricity more efficiently than lower voltage or heavily loaded
transmission lines and reduces line losses in the delivery of power.
ATC’s studies further indicate that the Badger Coulee Transmission Line
will support the transfer of renewable energy into Wisconsin to help
meet public policy goals in Wisconsin and the Midwest region. That’s
consistent with several regional transmission studies in which ATC is
participating with other utilities that identify this corridor as key to
moving renewable energy.
Announcement of the proposed Badger Coulee Transmission Line kicks off
an inclusive and exhaustive process of public involvement and regulatory
review. Following public input on routes, ATC currently expects to file
an application to build the line with the Public Service Commission of
Wisconsin in 2013. If approved by the PSC, construction on the new line
would begin in 2015 to meet an in-service date of 2018.
Note to editors: A map and additional information on the Badger
Coulee Transmission Line Project is available at www.atc-projects.comATC owns, operates, builds and maintains the high-voltage electric
transmission system serving portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota
and Illinois. Formed in 2001 as the nation’s first multi-state
transmission-only utility, ATC has invested $2.2 billion to improve the
adequacy and reliability of its infrastructure. ATC now is a $2.75
billion company with 9,400 miles of transmission lines and 510
substations. The company is a member of the Midwest ISO regional
transmission organization, and provides nondiscriminatory service to all
customers, supporting effective competition in energy markets without
favoring any market participant. For more information, visit our website
at www.atcllc.com.
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