American Transmission Company: Awards $50,000 to local communities

Contact: Alissa Braatz
abraatz@atcllc.com

Pewaukee – American Transmission Co. has awarded $50,000 collectively to 27 communities in its service area to plant trees and other vegetation through its Community Planting Program, which is part of ATC’s Grow Smart ®initiative. Vegetation funded through this program requires that communities plant tall-growing trees outside of high-voltage transmission line rights-of-way, helping to keep the electric transmission lines safe and reliable.

“We’re proud of the success of this program, which is now in its fourth year,” said Mark Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “ATC is committed to maintaining a green environment and this program has awarded nearly $240,000 to more than 150 communities for planting projects. At ATC, we have a one-team approach and when communities partner with us for initiatives like the Community Planting Program, they become part of the team.”

Community recipients qualify for the program by committing to comply with ATC’s maintenance standards for all current and future planting plans and urban forestry activities near high-voltage electric transmission lines. The following Wisconsin communities received amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000 for planting projects on public property:

Athens Grand Chute Nekoosa
Baraboo Howard Oconomowoc
Beecher Kimberly Ozaukee County
Bristol Kewaunee Platteville
De Pere Manitowoc Portage
Dunbar Manitowoc County Sheboygan Falls
Gays Mills Menasha Watertown
Gillett Mequon West Allis
Gilman Milwaukee  

ATC will accept applications for the 2017 Community Planting Program from June 1 through Sept. 30.

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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 $3.8 billion to improve the adequacy and reliability of its infrastructure. ATC now has $4 billion in assets, including more than 9,540 miles of transmission lines and 548 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.