American Transmission Company is the first multi-state transmission-only company in the United States. We provide electric transmission service from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, throughout the eastern half of Wisconsin and into portions of Illinois. Our 8,900 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and 450 substations provide communities with access to local and regional energy sources.

Transporting electricity from where it’s generated to where it’s needed is accomplished through a network of transmission lines, both within states and throughout a region. It ’s similar to the interstate highway system–with electricity traveling on the lines like vehicles on the highway. This network operates as one system–power flows over the lines to provide energy where it is needed.

Updating electric transmission for today’s energy users

ATC strives to ensure that its transmission network operates safely and reliably for its energy customers. We all know how critically important electric power is to the way we live our lives today. Businesses, industries, hospitals, nursing homes, emergency services, schools and homes expect an uninterrupted supply of power, and even momentary outages can be an inconvenience in today’s world.

The age of the current transmission system and an increasing demand for electricity are contributing factors in service interruptions. In Wisconsin, electric demand is growing at a rate of about 3 percent each year. However, the current transmission system was not built to accommodate the vastly expanded energy flows that have developed in recent years. These demands are expected to grow as the wholesale electric marketplace develops further and customers seek to benefit from competitive pricing.

To ensure that consumers continue to have access to the reliable and affordable energy supplies they’ve come to expect, the aging transmission lines need to be rebuilt and new lines constructed. Conservable efforts have been marginally effective in slowing the rate of growth in electric demand, but they have not halted it. Alternative sources of power, such as wind or solar power are being actively researched and developed, but currently don ’t provide the level of reliability necessary to ensure a steady supply of energy. Transmission access is necessary to support local energy production that is not able to meet demand.

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