Project Updates

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has determined our Rockdale-West Middleton application for a new 345-kV line in Dane County is complete, thus starting the formal regulatory review, which includes several opportunities for public comment. To view documents filed in the case, visit the PSCW’s Web site and enter docket #137-CE-147.

We recently filed a regulatory application with the PSCW to build a two-mile, 161-kV line connecting a proposed new generator at the Nelson Dewey plant near Cassville to a Dairyland Power Co-operative substation. The Nelson Dewey expansion is proposed by Wisconsin Power & Light, an Alliant Energy Co.

A 14-mile rebuilt line in Houghton County, Mich. was placed into service earlier this summer. Wood poles on the Laurium 69-kV line were more than 50 years old and were replaced with new steel poles and wires to strengthen local area reliability.

 
Transmission investments provide energy savings, efficiencies

In the last seven years, we have invested $1.7 billion in infrastructure upgrades and additions across our service territory, producing a more robust, high-voltage transmission system. These improvements have helped reduce electrical output at peak times – equivalent to a 125-megawatt generating plant!

The savings are due to reduced electricity losses. In simple terms, our newer, more efficient lines don’t get as hot, which results in substantially lower electricity losses in the process of transmitting power. Read more...

ATC in the Community Children and adults alike gathered in New London last month to band recently hatched osprey chicks. We have provided several nesting platforms to The Feather Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in support of local efforts to monitor the birds, which are listed as a threatened species in Wisconsin.

Ginny Perrault of New London presents information about ospreys and children sport ATC Earth Day t-shirts at banding event. (Photo used with permission, Patricia Fisher, The Feather)

Photo used with permission of J. Kapfer, NRC

Did you know? Transmission line rights-of-way provide good habitat for many species, including the green snake. The snake prefers prairies, oak savannas, open areas in pine barrens and grassy areas along forest edges. While not uncommon, this species of snake is reclusive and hard to find. This particular specimen, a female, was spotted by one of our environmental contractors in Columbia County.