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.

Spring Valley-North Lake Geneva Electric Reliability Project

Project overview

American Transmission Co. received approval for a new and upgraded electric transmission facilities to keep pace with growing electricity demand in southern Walworth and western Kenosha counties in Wisconsin. The project involves:

  • Construction of a new 138,000-volt transmission line of approximately 23 miles, stretching from the existing North Lake Geneva Substation in southern Walworth County to the existing Spring Valley Substation in western Kenosha County.
  • Construction of the new 138- and 69-kV Balsam Substation on an ATC-owned parcel along Hwy. 50 in the Town of Wheatland.
  • Construction of a new 69-kV transmission line to connect the new substation to the existing Twin Lakes Substation in Twin Lakes.

Need for the project

Studies indicate that the estimated $70.6 million project will deliver benefits to the area by strengthening the electric system to meet the growing use of electricity. The area electric transmission system is vulnerable to low voltages and power outages and will no longer adequately support the lower-voltage distribution system. This project will provide system redundancy and allow for maintenance outages when repairs are needed.

The proposed final routes were included in ATC’s application to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in spring 2015 under Docket No. 137-CE-167. In early March 2016 the PSC indicated approval for Proposed Route 1, the blue route.

Schedule*
Project introduced to the publicEarly 2013
Potential routes studied and evaluatedEarly 2013 through Fall 2014
Environmental field reviewSpring 2014
Open housesJanuary 2015
Submit application to PSCSpring 2015
PSC hearingsFall 2015
Receive PSC decision March 2016
Design line and obtain easements2016 and 2017
Start constructionFall 2018
Project in serviceWinter 2019