Contact: Kelley Welf
651-644-3400 | kwelf@cleangridalliance.org
ST. PAUL, MINN. – Today, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission issued its preliminary decision on the Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line to grant a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). Cardinal-Hickory Creek is a 345 kV transmission line connecting northeast Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin and will support a growing renewable energy production area in the Upper Midwest.
Clean Grid Alliance issued the following statement:
“On behalf of our NGO members who are working on carbon reduction across the Midwest and industry members who are developing utility-scale wind and solar energy projects, we applaud the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for supporting the Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line,” said Clean Grid Alliance Executive Director Beth Soholt. “The demand for more renewable energy is palpable and the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line will provide the ability to access and deliver renewables. We are seeing an ever-increasing stream of state governments, utilities, and corporations announcing plans for more renewable energy because of its low cost and environmental benefits. Our members are ready to fulfill their needs. We are grateful to the Commission for recognizing that more transmission is necessary in order to deliver the clean energy future everyone wants. Cardinal-Hickory Creek will also strengthen the grid and provide congestion relief for an efficient energy market in Wisconsin and the surrounding states.”
Today’s decision represents the preliminary decision of the Public Service Commission. The Commission will issue a final written order by September 30. There is a segment of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line in Iowa. The Iowa Utilities Board will hear that case in December.
