American Transmission Co. projects

New transmission line placed in service in Oneida and Vilas counties

Project improves reliability in Woodruff, Minocqua, Arbor Vitae and Lac du Flambeau

DE PERE, Wis. – American Transmission Co. recently energized a new, 7.2-mile power line along Highway 47 in the towns of Woodruff, Minocqua and Arbor Vitae. The Clear Lake-Woodmin project supports the local distribution network of Wisconsin Public Service Corp.

“The transmission line resolves low-voltage issues in the area, improving reliability for about 15,000 residents,” notes Lee Meyerhofer, senior local relations representative for ATC. “We very much appreciate the input and cooperation of area residents, local officials, snowmobile clubs and others who helped us design and build a safe project.”

In addition to the line, Wisconsin Public Service built a new substation, called Woodmin, west of Highway 47 in the town of Arbor Vitae. The line links the new substation with the Clear Lake Substation southeast of Woodruff, also on Highway 47. While constructed to 138-kilovolt standards, the line will be operated at 115 kilovolts.

The project, which was approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in October 2010, was completed slightly ahead of schedule at a cost of about $14.4 million. Construction began in October 2011 and the project recorded 27,000 work hours with no injuries. MJ Electric, headquartered in Iron Mountain, Mich., built the line for ATC.