Questions about Need and Benefit of the Projects

Why are the new lines and substations needed? Can the existing facilities be upgraded?

Can new electric generation be built instead?

Isn’t this project meant to serve Middleton?

Couldn’t a power plant in Middleton solve the problem?

Who actually benefits?

What impact will the conversion of the Blount Street Power Plant to natural gas have on the transmission line projects?

Can we eliminate the need for new lines with more conservation?

Questions about Routes

Can you use the existing transmission line that runs from Rockdale to West Middleton?

sn’t the Beltline route the best option?

When will a final route be selected?

Is there a preference for locating these lines in rural areas?

Questions about Living Near Transmission Lines

What about radio and TV interference?

Are there health risks with living near power lines or substations?

What will the poles look like?

How does ATC compensate landowners whose property may be affected by a transmission line?

Does a power line affect property values?

Will a new transmission line cause stray voltage on nearby farms?

Questions about the Environment

What does ATC do to minimize the impact to the environment?

Why can’t this line avoid environmental impacts?

Questions about Undergrounding Transmission Lines

Will any of the transmission lines be underground?

Doesn’t underground construction reduce environmental impacts?

Aren't there new technologies for transporting electric power underground?

General Questions

Where does our electric power come from?

How will the new line affect my electric bill?

Who decides whether the project is needed and what route is selected?

How will new transmission lines affect my electric bill?

Please contact us if you have additional questions.

Why are the new lines and substations needed? Can the existing facilities be upgraded?
Dane County’s use of electricity is growing rapidly—at a rate nearly twice the statewide average. The Dane County population growth rate is among the highest in the state. This translates to the need for electric transmission lines. The continued and future reliability of electric service in Dane County is heavily dependent on the condition of the high-voltage transmission network in and around the county. All of the transmission improvements planned for Dane County represent a deliberate and coordinated series of initiatives to provide the right solutions at the right time. Between 2002 and 2007, we’re placing into service $110 million in transmission investments. Despite this short-term work, a comprehensive and independent report issued early this year by the Energy Initiative concluded that a series of four additional major transmission projects were needed to keep pace with demand. The EI found that a major new transmission line would be needed by 2011 and every few years thereafter to meet growing electric demand and to reinforce the broader network or grid.

The Rockdale to West Middleton will help move power across Dane County and southern Wisconsin, reinforce the “backbone” of the transmission network, reduce the need for smaller transmission projects, and improve the efficiency of the electric system. It will improve the performance of the Montrose to Fitchburg project, which is needed to meet demand around the rapidly growing areas of Verona, Oregon, and Fitchburg.

Can you use the existing transmission line that runs from Rockdale to West Middleton?

We will examine this option carefully. However, these structures carry two of four critical transmission lines that serve Dane County. Using this existing corridor for another set of major, high-capacity lines means that a weather-related failure along this corridor could potentially cause a county-wide outage. Further, because the existing transmission line cannot be taken out of service, the new power line would have to be constructed alongside it, which, for safety reasons, would require more than 100 feet of additional right-of-way. In many spots, it appears that adjacent development and environmental sensitivities would make it extremely difficult to widen the corridor to accommodate the new power line.  

Can new electric generation be built instead?

Energy planners in our state always look at both generation and transmission, along with conservation and other solutions for meeting electricity need. The local utilities are responsible for building or purchasing electric generation adequate to meet their customers’ needs. The Energy Initiative found that there currently are no plans to build a new power plant in Dane County in the next ten years. Further, the existing transmission network in Dane County and southern Wisconsin is weak and inadequate to meet future demand, which means it would not be able to adequately serve a new generation source even if one were built. In fact, new power plants require substantial upgrades to the transmission network, including new transmission lines, to transport the power they generate.

Where does our electric power come from?

Electricity consumers are served by a network of power plants, transmission lines, substations and local distribution lines. More than half of electricity consumed Dane County is generated outside the county. 

Will any of the transmission lines be underground?

This is a very common and understandable question. While many distribution lines are put underground, particularly in newer neighborhoods, almost all electric transmission lines are proposed as overhead for three general reasons: cost, environmental damage, and repair time. Underground lines are considerably more costly and environmentally invasive than overhead lines. For this reason, the state Public Service Commission rarely supports or approves underground construction of transmission lines. In addition, damage to an overhead line that results in an outage can be located and repaired in hours or days rather than weeks or months for underground lines. In heavily congested urban areas, underground lines are sometimes the only option.

For higher voltage transmission lines such as the 345-kilovolt line being proposed for the Rockdale to West Middleton project, undergrounding is not a viable option because at that voltage the lines cannot dissipate heat and become capacity bottlenecks on the system, defeating the purpose of building them. Less than 1 percent of ATC’s 9,100-mile network of transmission lines is underground. Installing structures with conductors suspended overhead remains the less costly and more environmentally practical alternative for most situations and is the standard practice throughout the country. More about undergrounding

What will the poles look like?

Most people are familiar with the steel, self-supporting lattice-style tower structures, many of which were built during the 1950s and 1960s. Lattice-style transmission structures, although still in operation today, are generally not used in new construction. Today, we use a variety of tower and structure designs that are considered more aesthetically acceptable and leave a smaller footprint. For 345-kilovolt lines, we use either single-pole steel structures or wood H-frame structures. Factors such as cost, engineering, and the surrounding area dictate the type of structure. The type of steel may be a galvanized (silver) finish or a weathering finish which turns a brownish color over time. We will recommend a type of structure in our application to the PSC and share our recommendation with the public prior the application being submitted.

How will the new line affect my electric bill?

In general, the costs associated with transmission line projects—as well as other electric utility costs—are included in monthly electric bills. Transmission costs are roughly 4 – 7 percent of the bill. The majority of the bill covers generation, fuel costs and distribution facilities. For ATC projects, the costs are shared across our footprint from Janesville to Milwaukee to the Fox Valley to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Are there health risks with living near power lines or substations? Does EMF cause cancer?

Anything that uses or carries electricity will generate electric and magnetic fields, or EMF. Appliances, wiring in homes and offices, and power lines all generate EMF. The strength of EMF decreases dramatically with distance. Because EMF results from current, (measured in amps) rather than voltage, the field strengths around transmission lines and substations are comparable to exposure levels from everyday sources like computers, appliances and lighting. Comprehensive reviews of independent research on EMF exposure and health effects conducted over the past 20 years, including two large studies that looked at the body of research in its entirety, found that there is no consistent association between EMF exposure and health risks. Independent information can be found in the consumer section of the PSC Web site http://psc.wi.gov.

What about radio and TV interference?

New transmission lines typically do not cause radio or TV interference. However, if a transmission line does create static or interference, ATC will correct the problem. Interference with AM radio sound is generally minimal and is limited to the area directly under the line.

What does ATC do to minimize the impact to the environment?
Environmental impacts of transmission line construction are studied before ATC submits a construction application to Public Service Commission, and again during the regulatory review of the project proposal. We seek input from local, state and federal officials and agencies along with property owners to identify environmentally sensitive areas. Specific laws regulate construction practices for building transmission lines. When we submit our construction application in fall 2007, we are required to include information about our construction practices. 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 often is conducted during winter months when the ground is frozen to minimize soil disturbance and impacts to sensitive animal and plant life.

When will a final route be selected?
The route selection process involves identifying potential corridors, gathering public input, conducting environmental and engineering surveys—all designed to refine many possible transmission line routes to two primary routes that will be included in the construction application to the Public Service Commission in October 2007. ATC's application will contain a thorough environmental characterization of the route alternatives. Throughout 2008, The PSC will conduct its own environmental review, including formal public hearings. The PSC will evaluate the need for the project and make the final decision on route selection in late 2008 or early 2009, based on all the formal documentation (called a record) and input received at the public hearings.

How does ATC compensate landowners whose property may be affected by a transmission line?

At this point, it is premature to speculate who may or may not be affected by the proposed project. When the time comes, we must meet certain legal requirements and conditions when negotiating easements for high-voltage power lines. Landowners are compensated based on the fair market value of the property. Ownership 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 structures 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. Post-construction inspections are performed to assure proper restoration.

Does a power line affect property values?
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.

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, 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.

Isn’t this project meant to serve Middleton? Couldn’t a power plant in
Middleton solve the problem?
Demand for electricity is high across Dane County, where electricity usage is growing at an annual rate of 2 -3 percent, above the statewide average. Transmission lines are the interstate highways of the electric system, and must be capable of moving large volumes of power from distant power plants over long distances, into and throughout the county. The network across Dane County is weak, vulnerable and inadequate to meet future power flow needs. Even if a new power plant were built, substantial transmission upgrades would still be needed because the existing lines could not transport power generated at a new plant through this area. Further, the local utilities have told us there are no plans to build any major new power plants anywhere within Dane County.

Who actually benefits?
While the population growth and electrical usage are not spread evenly throughout
Dane County, the seriousness of the problem is. Every business and home in Dane County is served by the same weak and vulnerable electric transmission system. Strengthening it benefits every business and household in Dane County regardless of how rural or populated the area is. High-voltage power lines move the electricity to the smaller lines that eventually serve communities, neighborhoods and individual users. On the flip side, the absence of a strong high-voltage network in the future will lead to reliability issues – and possible power outages – everywhere in the county.

Is there a preference for locating these lines in rural areas?
No. Decisions about the placement of transmission lines are made based on dozens of factors including engineering, operational performance, regulatory guidance, public input, cost, environmental impacts, etc. While rural areas may not contribute proportionately to growing electricity usage compared to more populated areas, they share in the benefits of a more stable, reliable system.

Isn’t the Beltline route the best option for the Rockdale – West Middleton line?
The characteristics of the Beltline route make it a good transmission line candidate, and it’s under serious consideration. It runs directly between the two substations we need to connect, and it’s the closest thing we have to an industrial corridor across southern Dane County. However, like all routes, it has some significant challenges as well. As we continue to evaluate this route, we’ll be working with the Department of Transportation to identify issues. The proximity of the Arboretum and Yahara River also are concerns to be addressed. If this route is pursued, we will want to minimize the impacts to the environmental features to the extent possible. Although we’ve received a fair amount of public support for this route, we are required by the PSC to include at least two possible routes in our application.

Why can’t this line avoid environmental impacts?
Unlike a power plant or a factory that has a defined footprint in a single location,
transmission lines span many miles. Avoiding every environmentally sensitive area along a route is not always possible. We must put together route segments across different areas in a way that balances the cost of construction with other impacts. A desirable route is one that balances environmental factors with other considerations such as engineering, community and landowner input. We have—and continue to develop—practices that provide guidance for our construction activities so that environmental resources can be protected and restored, and impacts can be avoided or minimized.

Doesn’t underground construction reduce environmental impacts?
While burying transmission lines places the facilities out of sight, it has a significantly more damaging footprint than overhead facilities. It requires highly invasive trenching along a right-of-way that would be kept completely clear of trees. Restoration options are limited and would likely prohibit even many native prairie grasses because of their deep root systems. Overhead construction allows poles to be placed as much as 800-1,000 feet apart which allows for the planting of native prairie grasses and low-growing trees or shrubs

Aren't there new technologies for transporting electric power underground?
We are always monitoring evolving technology for building, operating and maintaining electric transmission systems. Small-scale, highly speculative research projects areunder way to explore alternative ways to transport high-voltage electricity. However, no technology exists today that is demonstrated to provide the level of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and perform reliably under a variety of environmental conditions such as wind, lightning, extreme temperatures swings, and wet and dry periods. As a public utility, we are obligated to use proven technology for our projects.

What impact will the conversion of the Blount Street Power Plant to natural gas have on the transmission line projects?
The plans we have identified for Dane County in our 10-year Assessment were based on the current capacity of the plant. Because the elimination of coal at the Blount Street Power Plant will result in a 50 percent decrease in output, we will be evaluating our transmission plans and future projects to determine what adjustments may be needed in timing or project scope to compensate for the lower electric capacity.

What about energy conservation? Can we eliminate the need for new lines? At ATC, we believe that conservation plays a role in managing the pace at which new facilities need to be proposed and built. Dane County has been successful in its conservation efforts. However, even with continued diligence among businesses and homeowners to conserve, population growth in the County will continue to drive up electricity usage. We’ve calculated what it would take from a conservation standpoint to be able to eliminate the need for the projects we’re proposing in Dane County. The electrical equivalent of 30,000 homes would have to come off line every year for the next ten years. However, even if this were accomplished, the system is old and would still need upgrading, expansion and replacement. The projects we’re proposing right now are needed to meet current and near-term electricity usage. However, large scale changes in usage and conservation may allow us to defer projects that are planned out into the future.

Who decides whether the project is needed and what route is selected?
Ultimately, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin makes the decision. It determines two things when a construction application is submitted by ATC. First, the PSC must agree that a project is needed and the solution is reasonable. And second it must decide which route is the best one among the two or three submitted by ATC.

If you have additional questions about this project, e-mail Charlie Gonzales or call 1-866-899-3204, extension 3644, or Sarah Justus at extension 3624.