Contact: Jackie Olson
920-338-6574
jolson@atcllc.com
www.atcllc.com
MEDIA LINE: 877.506.6117
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Company seeks approval for 138-kV line in Menominee and Delta counties
DE PERE, Wis. – American Transmission Co. is asking Michigan regulators to approve
a new 138-kV transmission line to improve reliability.
The 60-mile line between the Holmes Substation in Menominee County and the Old
Mead Road Substation near the NewPage mill in Escanaba is needed because of
unique conditions of the electricity supply system in the area. “The transmission system
is only marginally balanced,” said Brett French, ATC external relations manager.
“Changes in demand or generation can significantly impact the reliability of the
transmission system, creating difficulties when performing maintenance or managing
unplanned outages. The project will greatly improve reliability of service to customers in
the area.”
ATC has developed a proposed and alternate route for the new line. The proposed
route makes maximum use of co-location opportunities, placing the new facilities on
existing transmission line or other rights-of-way. The western half of the proposed
route would share a corridor with an existing transmission line; the eastern half would
share an abandoned railroad corridor currently owned by the Michigan Department of
Transportation and managed by the Department of Natural Resources. In exchange for
sharing the corridor, ATC proposes to develop a 10-foot-wide multi-purpose recreational
trail between Hermansville and Wells Township.
The alternate route also follows established corridors, generally following an active
railroad and U.S. Highway 2.
Estimated cost of the project is between $105 million and $132 million. A more-refined
estimate will be determined as detailed design of the line continues and a final route is
selected.
“Filing the application moves the project into the approval process,” French said. “The
Michigan Public Service Commission has one year to approve or deny the project. If
approved, the PSC selects the route. It is very important for those interested in the
project to participate in the commission’s process.”
To access the application and follow the regulatory review, visit the MPSC website http://efile.mpsc.state.mi.us/efile/ and search for Case # U-17272.
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American Transmission Co. is a Wisconsin-based company that owns and operates the electric
transmission system in portions of the Upper Midwest. Formed in 2001 as the nation’s first multi-
state transmission-only utility, ATC has invested $2.8 billion to improve the adequacy and reliability of
its infrastructure. ATC now is a $3.3 billion company with 9,480 miles of transmission lines and 529
substations. The company is a member of the MISO regional transmission organization, and provides
nondiscriminatory service to all customers, supporting effective competition in energy markets without
favoring any market participant. For more information, visit our website at www.atcllc.com.