American Transmission Co. awards $50,000 to communities for vegetation plantings
Program advocates electric reliability by promoting plantings outside the right-of-way
PEWAUKEE, Wis. – American Transmission Co. has awarded $50,000 collectively to 27 communities in its service area to plant trees and other vegetation through its Community Planting Program, which is part of ATC’s Grow Smart ® initiative. Vegetation funded through this program requires that communities plant tall-growing trees outside of high-voltage transmission line rights-of-way, helping to keep the electric transmission lines safe and reliable.
“We’re proud of the success of this program, which is now in its fourth year,” said Mark Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “ATC is committed to maintaining a green environment and this program has awarded nearly $240,000 to more than 150 communities for planting projects. At ATC, we have a one-team approach and when communities partner with us for initiatives like the Community Planting Program, they become part of the team.”
Community recipients qualify for the program by committing to comply with ATC’s maintenance standards for all current and future planting plans and urban forestry activities near high-voltage electric transmission lines. The following Wisconsin communities received amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000 for planting projects on public property:
| Athens | Dunbar | Howard | Menasha | Ozaukee County |
| Baraboo | Gays Mills | Kimberly | Mequon | Platteville |
| Beecher | Gillett | Kewaunee | Milwaukee | Portage |
| Bristol | Gilman | Manitowoc | Nekoosa | Sheboygan Falls |
| De Pere | Grand Chute | Manitowoc County | Oconomowoc | Watertown |
| West Allis |
ATC will accept applications for the 2017 Community Planting Program from June 1 through Sept. 30.
