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Gardner Park-Central Wisconsin Project
Morgan-Werner West Project
Why are the new lines and substations needed? Can the existing facilities be upgraded?
How will these transmission lines benefit my area?
What does ATC do to minimize the impact to the environment?
Can we eliminate the need for transmission lines by conserving energy?
How did you identify possible routes for the new transmission lines?
When will a final route be selected?
How does ATC compensate landowners whose property may be affected by a transmission line?
What rights do property owners have?
Does the presence of a power line affect property values?
Can you put the lines underground?
Are there health risks associated with living near power lines? What is EMF and does is cause cancer?
Will a new transmission line cause stray voltage on nearby farms?
Why are the new lines and substations needed? Can the existing facilities be upgraded?
The transmission system in much of Wisconsin, including this region of the state, is operating at its limits. Very little has been added to the system since the 1970s, yet our use of electricity has almost doubled since then.
Wisconsin Public Service Corp. is proposing to add a new generator to its Weston Power Plant south of Wausau. The existing transmission facilities that connect the plant to the power grid are inadequate to carry the additional electricity when the generator comes on line in 2008. That new generator will double the capacity of the power plant, and a new 345-kilovolt line is proposed to deliver the output to the transmission system.
A new, 50-mile 345-kV line from the Morgan Substation south of Oconto Falls to the New London area is needed to relieve congestion on the existing facilities in the area. This will create much-needed operating flexibility to bolster electric reliability in the region. It also will improve transfer capability, allowing power to flow more freely across the system. A portion of this line will carry additional 138-kilovolt facilities.
A new 138-kilovolt line between the proposed Werner West Substation near New London and Clintonville would provide an added measure of reliability to the area by easing the overloading of existing equipment. This line would be co-located with the 345-kilovolt line. The substations are needed to connect the new lines to the existing 345-kilovolt system.
How will these transmission lines benefit my area?
The electric transmission system operates as an interconnected network to deliver large amounts of power from where it is generated to where it is needed. In short, electricity is transmitted to local distribution companies by the network, not by individual transmission lines.
The benefits of a reliable supply of electricity are enormous. Electricity is more than a convenience; it is a necessity to our lives and our economy. A safe, reliable and adequate supply of electricity is essential for businesses, farms, factories, hospitals, homes and all the other places where we live and work. Reliable energy contributes to our quality of life and our economic well-being; it is essential for economic growth. The system in Wisconsin is operating at its limits today -- any major business expansion or relocation will require a significant investment )by the business) in transmission infrastructure.
What does ATC do to minimize the impact to the environment?
Environmental impacts of transmission line construction are studied before ATC files its application to Public Service Commission, and again during the regulatory review of the project proposal. In identifying a route for a transmission line, ATC tried to use as many existing corridors as possible to minimize impact to environmentally sensitive areas. We seek input from local, state and federal officials and agencies along with property owners.
Specific laws regulate construction practices for building transmission lines. ATC will file with the PSC a construction mitigation plan for the project. When approving a project, the PSC issues a written order (authorization) that spells out construction methods to minimize environmental, agricultural and other impacts. Permits also are required from the Department of Natural Resources, which are part of the project certification process. Construction typically is conducted during winter months when the ground is frozen to minimize soil disturbance and impacts to sensitive animal and plant life. ATC also uses construction practices to reduce the spread of invasive species and agricultural pests and diseases. Learn more about ATC's environmental work.
Can we eliminate the need for transmission lines by conserving energy?
While conservation and other non-transmission options to meeting electricity should be pursued, they cannot offset the growing demand for electricity or eliminate the need for improvements to the state's electric infrastructure. Wisconsin is a net importer of electricity; we don't generate enough power to meet our needs. To efficiently meet customers' demand for power, we need an integrated mix of resources-power plants that use conventional and renewable technologies, conservation, distribution systems, and a strong transmission system that delivers the power where it's needed, when it's needed.
How did you identify possible routes for the new transmission lines?
Legislation was enacted in Wisconsin in late 2003 that clarifies how new transmission lines should be sited in the state. State policy encourages co-location with existing utility facilities when identifying potential routes. The following prioritization was established in Wisconsin Act 89 (208k pdf):
- Existing transmission lines
- Pipelines
- Highways
- Railroads
- Recreational trails
- Use of section lines and/or property boundaries to establish new corridors
Other information also is considered, including land use, planning data, wetland delineation and environmental data.
When will a final route be selected?
ATC filed an application in spring 2005 that identified two possible route alternatives for consideration by the PSC. ATC's application contains a thorough environmental characterization of the route alternatives, and the PSC will conduct its own environmental review, complete with public involvement. The PSC will make the final decision on route selection, based on ATC's recommendation and by balancing environmental impacts, cost and public input, among other factors. The PSC is reviewing the application and will hold hearings in the fall of 2005, and will render a decision in the spring of 2006.
How does ATC compensate landowners whose property may be affected by a transmission line?
ATC must meet certain legal requirements and conditions when negotiating easements for high-voltage power lines. Landowners are compensated for the fair market value of the property required for the transmission line corridors. Ownerships of the property remains with the landowner, but the easement conveys to ATC the right to build, maintain and operate the transmission line.
During easement negotiations, ATC informs landowners of the length and width of the right-of-way; the number, type and height of all structure to be erected; the minimum height of the transmission lines above the existing ground elevation; and the number of wires and maximum voltage of the lines.
Landowners also are compensated for any crop damage or physical damage to the property as a result of construction or maintenance of the line. After construction, inspections are performed to assure proper restoration. Learn more about Easements and Right-of-way.
What rights do property owners have?
Landowners whose property is affected by high-voltage power lines have specific rights spelled out in the state law. A listing of these rights is generally attached to the easement contract negotiated between the property owner and the utility company. Some of these rights include a description of construction measures that must be used to minimize property damage, property restoration and drain tile repair after construction, measures to ensure that radio and television reception are not adversely affected and vegetation control. View the PSC's publication for landowners (178k pdf).
Does the presence of a power line affect property values?
Generally speaking, no. It is our experience that there is little, if any, diminution in value due to the location and operation of a transmission line. A recent study performed by the Electric Power Research Institute concluded: ".the results are mixed; in some cases small decreases in property value are associated with proximity to a transmission line; in other cases, there are no changes in property values, and in some cases, there are even increases in property values." Other features, such as proximity to schools, lot size, square footage and neighborhood characteristics may have a greater influence on the value of a property than the presence of a power line.
Can you put the lines underground?
The technology exists to put transmission lines underground; however, there are environmental, reliability and economic drawbacks to burying electric transmission lines.
While putting power lines underground keeps them out of sight, the environmental disturbance is much greater. Sizeable trenches need to be dug, creating soil disruption, and a maintained access road is needed along the length of the route. Thermal impacts during operation may negatively affect flora and fauna. Lines need to be housed in oil-filled pipes, and the potential for oil leaks is a concern.
While failures in underground lines are infrequent, when they do happen, it generally takes much longer to locate the problem and make repairs. It is difficult to determine the location of the failure, and due to technology and construction methods, underground lines are much more complicated to repair.
Cost is also a significant factor. Underground line construction is generally four to five times the cost of overhead lines.
Are there health risks associated with living near power lines? What is EMF and does is cause cancer?
Anything that uses or carries electricity will generate electric and magnetic fields, or EMF. Significant research on EMF exposure and health effects has been conducted in the last 20 years, including two large studies that looked at the body of research. These two reports-a U.S. National Academy of Sciences report in 1996 and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences report in 1999-found that when all the scientific evidence is considered, there is no consistent association between EMF exposure and health risks. The World Health Organization reached a similar conclusion in 1997. Learn more about electric and magnetic fields (EMF).
Will a new transmission line cause stray voltage on nearby farms?
Stray voltage is typically a phenomenon associated with on-farm wiring and/or electrical connections to the local electric distribution system. Stray voltage, which if present at high enough levels, can cause stress in dairy cows and lead to behavioral changes. These changes, in turn, can lead to health problems and decreased milk production. Because stray voltage may be associated with the distribution system, it is best addressed by the utility company that serves the farm. Learn more about stray voltage.
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