State regulators say ATC power line project application is complete
Public Service Commission, Department of Natural Resources review ATC application for Western Milwaukee County Electric Reliability Project
PEWAUKEE, Wis. – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have reviewed and determined complete the application that American Transmission Co. submitted in February for two new transmission lines that will improve electric system reliability in Western Milwaukee County.
This determination of completeness signifies the start of a 180-day review period by the PSC during which it will thoroughly evaluate the project, hold public hearings and conduct technical hearings before rendering a decision on the project.
The Western Milwaukee County Electric Reliability Project, announced in October 2010, involves the construction of two transmission line connections to serve a new substation proposed by We Energies near Watertown Plank Road and 93rd Street, adjacent to the existing We Energies Milwaukee County power plant and substation.
The new substation and transmission lines are needed to respond to the overall area’s growing electric needs and the critical nature of the Level 1 adult and Level 1 pediatric trauma centers located within the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center. .
The PSC requires ATC to propose two route options for each transmission line. ATC has identified variations on four route options for the two new lines that include both overhead and underground segments. Underground options, while more expensive, are being proposed to ensure electric system reliability coming into the new substation, and to address the difficulty of siting overhead lines in a densely populated urban area. ATC’s estimated cost for two new transmission lines and its associated substation work range from $20 million to $40 million.
If the project is approved, the PSC will select the final two transmission line routes to be built. Construction of the new lines and substation would begin in 2014 to meet an in-service date of 2015.
Note to editors:
ATC’s map of the final route options and additional information about the Western Milwaukee County Electric Reliability Project are available at www.atc-projects.com.
ATC’s application with the PSC can be found at: www.psc.wi.gov Docket No. 5-CE-139