PSC signals approval for 23-mile, 138,000-volt transmission line and new substation in southeast Wisconsin
Spring Valley-North Lake Geneva Electric Reliability Project expected to be in-service summer 2019
PEWAUKEE, Wis. – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin today approved a new transmission line project between the Town of Salem and the City of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. At an open meeting, the commissioners confirmed the need for the Spring Valley-North Lake Geneva Electric Reliability Project and approved Proposed Route 1, the blue route, submitted by ATC in its application filed in April 2015.
“With input from the public, our project team evaluated more than 200 miles of route segments during the routing and siting process,” said Doug Berton, ATC project manager. “That thorough review led to a project and decision by the PSC that will provide a significant improvement in the electric reliability of the transmission system that serves the area and supports the economic growth that’s been increasing over the last several years.”
The project was announced in early 2013 and includes a new substation, called Balsam, located on the north side of County Highway 50 in the Town of Wheatland, and a new approximately 23-mile, 138,000-volt transmission line from the existing North Lake Geneva Substation in southern Walworth County to the existing Spring Valley Substation in western Kenosha County. An additional approximately 4-mile, 69-kV transmission line will be built to connect the new Balsam Substation to the existing Twin Lakes Substation in Twin Lakes.
“We will continue to work with landowners and communities as we move into the pre-construction phase of the project,” said Berton.
The project is estimated to cost $70.6 million. The PSC’s final order for the project is anticipated to be issued within the month. Construction is projected to begin in summer 2017, with an in-service date of summer 2019.