Project Updates

Preliminary field work began last month in preparation for the Rockdale-West

Middleton 345-kilovolt transmission line in Dane County.  Although actual construction won’t begin until 2011, we need to do soil borings in the wetlands adjacent to the Yahara River to determine placement, depth and design of structures in that area. Soil borings are a fairly routine task on our construction projects, but the marshy wetland poses challenges. The work is being done using a specialized vehicle called a Marsh Buggy to minimize impacts to the wetland.

Two major projects at the opposite ends of our service footprint are slated to go into service this month.  The 35-mile Paddock-Rockdale 345-kV transmission line should be placed in service mid-month, completing construction that was started in September 2008. This is the first project of its kind in the Midwest that was driven by economics; the new line will allow local electric utilities to benefit economically by increasing access to the wholesale energy market.  The rebuilt and upgraded lines between Conover, Wis., and Quinnesec, Mich., will be placed in service the following week.  This improvement project will relieve congested facilities that link the transmission systems in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula.

New, engineered mats successfully used on Arpin-Rocky Run project

Deep, soggy soils in a wetland near Stevens Point posed a particular challenge to our project to upgrade a major power line. Conditions would have required the use of more than 20,000 traditional oak timber mats to support heavy construction equipment, which was cost-prohibitive and would have caused significant damage to the wetland. We worked with a specialty vendor that has developed mats with engineered, certified load ratings. The vendor created an air bridge supported by the vegetative layer of the wetland. Because the engineered mats exert little downward pressure, they cause minimal impact to the environment when they are placed or removed. Designed to work with the wetland, the road floats up and down as the water level rises and falls.

The project, which was completed in late February nearly two weeks ahead of schedule and with no reportable safety incidents, involved replacing 112 wood-frame structures with new steel poles.

Did you know?

We have been recognized as a Tree Line USA Utility by the Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of our leadership in caring for trees while meeting service objectives. The Arbor Day Foundation confers this designation on utilities that meet requirements such as annual worker training in quality tree-care practices, and a tree planting and public education program. We have an ongoing program to work with landowners who host our facilities to plant appropriate low-growing non-woody vegetation near power lines for safety and reliability.

An osprey nest recently was relocated from a transmission line in Sturgeon Bay to a more appropriate platform on property owned by the Door County Land Trust. We also are financially supporting the Trust’s efforts to develop the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve. The multi-year contribution will be used to support acquisition of property near our Canal Substation to be managed as a trust property in perpetuity. 

Customer Connections

ATC hosts Network Customer Meetings three times per year. 2010 meetings will occur from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on the dates listed below.  A teleconference option will also be available for those unable to attend in person. 

Thursday, Aug. 12 – De Pere, WI

Thursday, Dec. 9  – Pewaukee, WI

ATC in the Community

The Green Team in our Madison office is helping local residents comply with a new city ordinance banning plastic bags from landfills. Employees are encouraged to bring in their plastic shopping bags from home for a central collection and a Green Team member will assure responsible disposal.  This complements efforts at our other offices for responsible battery and plastic bottle-cap disposal. 

We once again are partnering with the UW Athletic Department to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House. We donated 25 cents for every ticket purchased for the Feb. 28 UW-Madison women’s basketball team in the Quarters for Kids program. This year’s event raised more than $2,800.

Delgado retires Our founder and first chief executive, José M. Delgado, has retired. Long considered an industry leader, Mr. Delgado was instrumental in the formation of the North American Transmission Owners and Operators Forum. In addition to serving on a number of industry boards and policy councils, he also served on many local boards, including advisory councils at both Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

Invite an ATC representative to speak to your group

Let us tell you and your service group or professional organization more about ATC. Simply e-mail us at localrelations@atcllc.com and indicate a topic area you're interested in, such as new projects, environmental commitment, vegetation management or electric transmission. We'll work with you to schedule a speaker for an upcoming meeting.   

ATC is a Green Tier company, selected by the Wisconsin DNR for demonstrating superior environmental performance and continual improvement.