By Brian Clark
WisBusiness.com
MADISON – As expected, the American Transmission Co. (ATC) today announced that a route following the Beltline was one of its two choices for a new 345-kilovolt power line running across Dane County.
The second one follows a southerly path running through mostly rural land. A third, central course through the Town of Dunn was dropped from consideration because it would have run through wetlands.
Mark Williamson, an ATC vice president, said his company will not promote either of the two routes when it presents them to the state Public Service Commission (PSC) in October. But he said the northern one is shorter, cheaper – $200 million vs. $220 million for the southern route -and the most controversial.
It is opposed by Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, environmental groups, the state Department of Transportation and others. Janet Piraino, a spokeswoman for the mayor, questioned its need and said he will fight it before the PSC.
Tom Clauder, Fitchburg’s mayor, said he was pleased the main choices do not go through his city and argued that the Beltline is the best route. But when a reporter told him ATC had included several alternatives that would run through Fitchburg, he blanched.
“Now I’m getting heartburn,” he said.
Piraino, Cieslewicz’ spokeswoman, said the mayor continues to believe the transmission line should be put underground if it runs along the Beltline. However, she said, he does not believe Madison taxpayers should subsidize it.
She said the mayor believes it makes more sense – if it is truly needed – to run in through the southern part of the county.
Williamson said a buried line would cost as much as $500 million. If Madison would pay for part of it, he said ATC would consider negotiating with the city.
But Williamson reiterated his belief that an underground line would not work as well as its above-ground counterpart. He said ATC studied burying the 345-kilovolt line earlier this year, but rejected because of not only the cost, but the need to reroute it under city streets and through neighborhoods.
According to the company, portions of the Beltline aren’t suitable for underground construction because of access difficulties from private property, volume and speed of traffic and steep slope conditions.
ATC owns and maintains transmission lines in parts of Wisconsin and three neighboring states. It is building upgrading its high-power network in the Badger State. This would be the biggest of several projects in Dane County.
Officials said this particular line is needed because of the county’s growth rate, which has been among the highest in the state. They said the existing transmission system here imports power and is operating at its limits and additional transmission lines are needed to keep pace with the growing demand.
ATC officials said several open houses will be held between now and October.
They said the PSC will review ATC’s application to determine if it is complete and then make its decision, which the company anticipates will be made in early 2009.
ATC wants to have the line built by 2013.
