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.

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ATC restarting electric system in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

PEWAUKEE, WI — American Transmission Co., owner and operator of the electric transmission system in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is working to bring the transmission grid in the UP back on line following an apparent lightning strike to two key 138,000-volt transmission lines at approximately 3:30 this morning between Oconto County, Wis. and Dickinson County, Mich. As a result, the western two-thirds of the UP experienced an electrical system outage as a 345,000-volt transmission line that also serves the UP was out of service for a planned outage. Subsequently, the instability of the system triggered the automatic shutdown of Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette, Mich., to protect the system.

ATC and local utilities have been coordinating the methodical restart of the electric system today including restoring the transmission system and bringing generating units at Presque Isle Power Plant back on line. ATC expects the transmission system to be fully operational by early this afternoon, which will enable local utilities to return electric service to customers. Some customers already have had service restored.

ATC continues to conduct helicopter and foot patrols to inspect transmission lines.

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Formed in 2001 as the nation’s first multi-state transmission-only utility, American Transmission Co. is a Wisconsin-based company that owns and operates 10,081 miles of electric transmission lines and 582 substations in portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois. Our transmission network enables the movement of electricity produced from all forms of generation resources to areas where it is needed – helping to keep the lights on, businesses running and communities strong. Visit our website at www.atcllc.com.

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