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Counties of Adams, Clark, Columbia, Green Lake, Jackson, Marquette, Portage, and Trempealeau, Waushara, and Wood, Wisconsin
Docket ID: 5-CE-157
Joint Application of American Transmission Company LLC and Northern States Power Company-Wisconsin, as Electric Public Utilities, for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Rebuild Existing Transmission Infrastructure and Construct and Operate a New 345 kV Transmission Line Connecting the Tremval-Arpin-Columbia Substations in the Counties of Trempealeau, Wood, and Columbia, Wisconsin, to be known as the Grid Forward Central Wisconsin Project.
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Application Summary
Overview
American Transmission Company LLC (ATC) and Northern States Power Company (NSPW), together as the applicants, are seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) approval to rebuild approximately 175 miles of existing transmission lines to support the construction of a new 200 to 205-mile 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line. The proposed project would connect the Tremval Substation in Trempealeau County, to an intermediate substation, the expanded Arpin Substation, in Wood County and connect the expanded Arpin Substation to the Columbia Substation in Columbia County Additionally, both route alternatives would require 27 miles of companion segments.
The proposed project route with companion segments would be approximately 227 miles including a total of 1,720 acres of new Right-of-Way (ROW). The alternative route with companion segments would be 232 miles including a total of 1,770 acres of new ROW. The major components of the proposed project include rebuilding, modifying, relocating, or retiring the existing transmission line infrastructure, as well as constructing a new 345 kV transmission line from the Tremval Substation to Arpin Substation primarily in double-circuit configuration with existing ATC or NSPW infrastructure, which would be rebuilt to accommodate the new line.
Applicant stated need
The project is one part of the MISO Long-Range Transmission Planning (LRTP) Tranche 1 Portfolio of projects (specifically the LRTP Project 6) recommended to meet transmission system reliability, economic, and policy needs. The project would fill a need to add transmission capacity to meet the current demand for energy in the region. The project would also improve reliability and reduce congestion along the grid and allow energy from renewable sources in Minnesota, Iowa, and elsewhere to reach Wisconsin customers.
Estimated cost
The applicant has stated that the estimated project cost would be between $1,596 – $1,630 million, depending on the route selected.
Project location
The project would be located within Adams, Clark, Columbia, Green Lake, Jackson, Marquette, Portage, and Trempealeau, Waushara, and Wood Counties, Wisconsin.
Proposed schedule
- The applicant submitted the application to the Commission in July 2024.
- If approved, the applicant anticipates construction for this project to begin in Q4 2026 with an estimated completion date of Q4 2030.
Key Application Documents
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