American Transmission Co. projects

Project website for a Wisconsin-based company that owns and operates the high-voltage electric transmission system that powers communities in portions of the Upper Midwest.

Media Line: (877) 506-6117info(at)atcllc.com

PSC approves order for Badger Coulee Transmission Line Project

American Transmission Co.
Jackie Olson
jolson@atcllc.com
877.506.6117

Xcel Energy
Tim Carlsgaard
612.330.7697

Real estate acquisition work to begin in May

MADISON, Wis. – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin today approved the formal order outlining the requirements that must be met in the construction of the 345,000-volt Badger Coulee Transmission Line. Project partners American Transmission Co. and Xcel Energy will begin contacting landowners along the approximately 180-mile line in May to begin the real estate acquisition process. The project, which will electrically connect the La Crosse area to northern Dane County, will help ensure electric reliability for communities throughout western Wisconsin and improve access to lower-cost power and renewable energy.

While construction is not set to begin until spring 2016, negotiations with landowners will begin next month to acquire easements along the route. Negotiations, along with construction, will be sequenced over eight segments, working from south to north.

“Landowners who live along the route in Dane, Columbia and a portion of northeastern Sauk County soon will receive information about easement negotiations as well as their rights under Wisconsin law,” said ATC Real Estate Manager Sarah Justus. “Negotiations are very important to resolving landowner questions and concerns specific to individual properties.”

“We look forward to continuing our discussion with landowners,” said Xcel Siting and Land Rights Manager Sarah Schwartz. “Public input was critical in identifying a route, which resulted in a line that will use existing utility and highway corridors for more than 90 percent of the approved route.”

The project’s end points are Xcel Energy’s new Briggs Road Substation near Holmen and ATC’s North Madison Substation in the Town of Vienna, continuing to ATC’s Cardinal Substation in the Town of Middleton.

This project has been designated a Multi-Value Project by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator because it will enable the delivery of energy in support of reliability, economic and public policy benefits. The $580 million estimated project cost will be shared among all electric users in MISO’s footprint, which includes 15 Midwestern states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. The project is expected to be placed in service in 2018.

Note to editors:
A map of the approved route and additional project information are available at www.BadgerCoulee.com.

About ATC
American Transmission Co. is a Wisconsin-based company that owns and operates the electric transmission system in portions of the Upper Midwest. Formed in 2001 as the nation’s first multi-state transmission-only utility, ATC has invested $3.5 billion to improve the adequacy and reliability of its infrastructure. ATC now has $3.8 billion in assets, including more than 9,530 miles of transmission lines and 530 substations. The company is a member of the MISO regional transmission organization, and provides nondiscriminatory service to all customers, supporting effective competition in energy markets without favoring any market participant. For more information, visit our website at www.atcllc.com.

About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company, with retail operations in eight Western and Midwestern states, including Wisconsin. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis, and Wisconsin-Michigan operating company headquarters are located in Eau Claire, Wis. For more information about Xcel Energy visit www.xcelenergy.com.

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ATC is a Wisconsin-based company that moves energy along the regional electric grid in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois, serving more than 5 million electric consumers. We are experts at what we do: planning, maintaining, operating and protecting the grid. As the electric industry moves toward renewable generation sources, we are transforming our system to continue delivering energy reliably and safely. We proudly support STEM education programs that empower youth with the skills needed to succeed in tomorrow’s energy workforce. For more information, visit www.atcllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).