Public Engagement

“We encourage collaboration between ATC, property owners, communities, public officials, stakeholders and environmental groups.”

We understand electric grid projects have impacts on property owners and communities. When planning for and constructing power lines and related electric grid infrastructure, ATC works to minimize those impacts as much as possible, while also ensuring communities have safe and reliable electrical power.

We aim to be transparent about the process and work with landowners and communities to the extent possible.

We proactively provide information and updates about proposed projects in several ways, often depending upon their size, scope and timing:

  • We notify landowners directly with letters, mailers or postcards
  • We may host a project webpage with a map and a dedicated person to contact for more information
  • We may host a video about the project on the project webpage with details about the project route
  • We may host a live, on-line open house to share information about a proposed project and answer questions
  • Occasionally, we may host an in-person open house to share information about a major proposed project and answer questions

We know you may have questions or comments about a project. ATC responds to all landowner inquiries (e.g., potential line locations, easements, vegetation management, fences, timing, etc.) and takes your feedback into consideration.   If a project requires Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approval, you can also provide comments to the PSCW and participate in the regulatory process after ATC submits an application for the proposed project to the PSCW.

Routing and siting new power lines

LOCATING NEW POWER LINES
ATC conducts a thorough analysis to identify viable power line routes that balance landowner interests and environmental impacts, constructability, current and future land use, project cost and electric system needs. ATC evaluates route options based on each project’s location and characteristics.
Members of the public are encouraged to submit feedback to ATC and/or the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. For major projects that require a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, the PSCW ultimately decides whether the project is needed and where the power line will be located.

ROUTING PRIORITIES
When siting new power lines, ATC initially follows the routing priorities established by Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. § 1.12(6)). Wisconsin law favors locating new power lines alongside existing infrastructure, where feasible, to reduce the need for new corridors. This includes existing utility corridors (such as power lines), state and federal highways, railroads and recreational trails. When these opportunities are not available or appropriate, ATC may identify new corridors where feasible.

BALANCING KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Developing routes for power lines requires balancing a variety of factors. ATC evaluates route options based on community input, environmental impacts, constructability, landowner impacts, current and future land use, project cost and electric system needs. Because no route is impact-free, routing often involves trade-offs between a particular set of advantages and disadvantages.

The process begins by identifying the project endpoints, such as new or existing substations, and establishing a study area. ATC then gathers information about the area, including environmental and cultural resources, roads, railroads, utility corridors and other features to identify potential route opportunities and constraints.

Potential corridors are identified after reviewing the study area. These corridors are broad areas between the project endpoints that may be suitable for a power line but have not yet been fully evaluated. These corridors help identify preliminary route options for further evaluation and public input.

Preliminary route options are then evaluated in greater detail and refined through additional study and feedback from landowners, communities and regulatory agencies. As part of the route refinement process, route options may be modified, added, or reconsidered based on new information.

In Wisconsin, one or two routes are submitted to the PSCW depending on the regulatory requirements for the project. For CPCN applications, two routes are required. These routes are identified by ATC after evaluating environmental and land use considerations, suitability for construction, community impact, cost and electric system needs. ATC submits the proposed routes and supporting project information to the PSCW for review. The application includes environmental, engineering, real estate and construction information about the project and the proposed routes.

Prior to the application filing, ATC contacts local officials, community organizations and landowners to provide information about the project and its status. After an application is filed, the PSCW reviews the proposed project, supporting information and public input. The PSCW holds technical and public hearings before making a final decision in certain proceedings.

Members of the public can review project information and participate in the review process through the PSCW. The public is encouraged to ask questions and provide input during the review process. The PSCW evaluates the proposed routes, supporting information, public comments and other relevant information before making a final decision on whether the project is needed and where the power line will be located. If the PSCW approves the project, it issues a written order. ATC then moves forward with final engineering, permitting, easement acquisition and construction.

Regulatory review process

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is the regulatory agency that approves certain utility projects in Wisconsin.

Once we have gathered information from various stakeholders and identified power line route options (a process that can take a year or more), we prepare a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity application to submit to the PSCW. A CPCN is an application that authorizes (in the form of a document called an Order) ATC to construct the project on the route that the PSCW deems best.

A different type of authorization, called a Certificate of Authority is required for certain projects that exceed a certain cost threshold.

A CPCN application generally will include two or more route options along with all the documentation required for the PSCW to review the project and render a decision (Order). The PSCW will notify affected landowners when the review process has started and will schedule public hearings so that the public may offer formal comments on the project. This review can take up to a year depending on the type of project.

Learn more about the PSCW’s public participation.