Project overview - conversion from 69 kilovolts to 138 kilovolts

ATC is converting about 73 miles of existing lines between Lakota Road and Quinnesec, Mich., from 69 kilovolts to 138 kilovolts. The work will be completed in 2010.

The electric transmission infrastructure serving northern Wisconsin and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan is in need of reinforcement. Significant growth has occurred in the Rhinelander/Eagle River area, resulting in an overloaded system that is vulnerable to interruptions and even blackouts under severe conditions. The lines to the east that connect northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula are among the most severely constrained in the ATC system. The constraints limit ATC's ability to move power in and out of the Upper Peninsula, requiring higher-cost generators on the system to run more often, costing ATC customers million of dollars each year. In addition, there is limited ability to schedule maintenance on these lines, resulting in reduced reliability and increased operating costs.

Also see related Cranberry - Conover Project

At a glance
Communities affected: Conover and Florence, Wis.; Iron River and Quinnesec, Mich.; improved reliability will benefit northern Wisconsin and the western areas of the Upper Peninsula
Length of line: 73-miles of existing transmission line
End points: Conover Substation to Plains Substation in Quinnesec

Voltage: Conover-Plains upgrade from 69-kilovolts to 138-kilovolts
Status of project: Construction began Feb. 2008; inservice June 2010

Schedule

File construction application to PSC: November 2005
Regulatory review and public comment: Late 2005
Project approval from PSC: November 2006
Anticipated start of construction: January 2008 (Conover-Plains)
In-service: June 2010 (Conover-Plains)

For more information or to comment, e-mail Lee Meyerhofer or call 1-866-899-3204, ext. 6572.