Overview
After more than five years of public involvement and regulatory review, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved a vital addition to Dane County’s electric transmission system. This project will serve multiple reliability functions and involves constructing approximately 32 miles of new 345-kilovolt transmission line to connect the existing Rockdale Substation located near the Town of Christiana with the West Middleton Substation. The substations will require some equipment upgrades to support this new line.
| Dane County has experienced in recent years some of the highest growth rates in the state, both in population and electricity usage. The existing transmission system in and around Dane County brings power in from outside the county to meet the needs for electricity. |
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| Artist's rendering: Beltline with appearance of poles |
However, the system is operating at its limits and additional transmission lines are needed to keep pace with the growing demand, and to strengthen the efficiency and reliability of existing lower voltage lines.
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Project at a glance:
Communities affected: The towns of Christiana, Middleton, City of Madison and several communities along the route; all of Dane County and southern Wisconsin will benefit from this project.
Length of line: Approximately 32 miles
End points: The West Middleton Substation in the Town of Middleton and the Rockdale Substation near Christiana
Voltage: 345,000 volts
Type of pole: Steel single pole Sample pole photos
Cost: Approximately $215 million
Status: Approved by PSC, start of construction anticipated for summer 2011.
Schedule/Timeline*
Public open houses on study area: July 2005
Environmental analysis: Summer 2005
Open house for public to comment on preliminary corridors: November 2005
Evaluation to finalize routes: Winter 2005
Open house on route options: August 2006
Ongoing studies: Winter/Spring 2007
Announcement of final route options: August 2007
Final open house to present final route options: August 2007
Regulatory application: October 15, 2007
View application under Case Management No. 137-CE-147
Review by PSC: October 2007 through June 2009
Draft Environmental Impact Statement Issued: November 2008
Deadline for public comment on draft EIS: December 31, 2008
Public Hearings at PSC Office: March 24-25, 2009
Technical Hearings at PSC Office: March 31-April 3, 2009
PSC Decision: June 11, 2009
Anticipated start of construction: Summer 2011
Anticipated in-service date: 2013
*Subject to changes
Learn more about regulatory review.
A separate, but related project, is a proposal to build a 6-mile, 138-kV transmission line between Fitchburg and Verona.
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Arrowhead-Weston