Project overview

ATC received approval May 30, 2008, from the Public Service Commission of Wiconsin to construct an additional line (circuit) primarily on an existing transmission line corridor between the Paddock Substation in the town of Beloit and the Rockdale Substation in the town of Christiana (approximately 35 miles).

IInterstate connection benefits consumers

This project benefits electric consumers differently from other electric tramsmission projects that ATC has proposed in recent years, which largely have been in response to weaknesses on the system and related reliability issues. The primary purpose of a high-voltage transmission line to the south is to give local distribution utilities improved access to lower cost power from other areas in the region and bring it into Wisconsin. While this project is largely driven by economics, it also benefits electric consumers with a stronger, more stable electric system.

Wisconsin has only limited transmission line connections to other states compared to its neighboring states. This limits the ability of electric utilities to access wind energy or sources of lower-cost electricity from other regions.

ATC submitted a construction application to the PSC in the spring of 2007 outlining its proposal and seeking regulatory approval. The route the PSC approved was ATC's designated preferred (recommended) route along an existing utility corridor where a 345-kilovolt line is located. A second route alternative along another utility corridor approximately two miles east of the approved route was rejected by the PSC.

Connections to other areas of the region give local utilities flexibility in access and importing power from lower-cost sources of electricity.

At a glance:
Communities potentially affected: Beloit, Janesville, Fulton, Milton, Albion, Christiana.
Length of line: Approximately 35 miles along existing right-of-way.
End points: Paddock Substation in the town of Beloit and Rockdale Substation in the town of Christiana.
Status of project: under construction

Cost: Approximately $133 million

Timetable:
Public information open houses: March 6-7, 2007

File construction application to PSC: May 2007
Regulatory review and public comment: 2007

Decision from PSC: May 2008
Start of construction: September 2008
In-service: Spring 2010

For more information contact: E-mail John Garvin or call 1-866-899-3204, ext. 3543