For Immediate Release
September 19, 2003
Contact: Mark Williamson
American Transmission Company
608-877-3544
Power Line Hearings Conclude in Madison
SOUL expert calls Arrowhead-Weston project “viable and prudent”
PSCW Engineer: project “needed” and cost “reasonable”
(MADISON) – The Arrowhead-Weston project received a valuable endorsement from a Public Service Commission of Wisconsin engineer charged with studying the power line project for the state regulatory agency. Donald Neumeyer delivered written testimony before administrative law judge David Whitcomb that stated, “Several studies…document the continued need for additional transmission reinforcement. I find no reason to disagree with the results of those reports and the conclusions that the Arrowhead to Weston Project is still needed.” He continued, “The Arrowhead line will significantly enhance the performance of the transmission system.”
In addition, an expert witness for Save Our Unique Lands, Dr. B. Art Hughes, reiterated today his previous testimony in a separate Wisconsin proceeding* that the Arrowhead-Weston line is a feasible and prudent alternative to satisfy electrical system needs, with a higher level of regard for the public interest. Dr. Hughes agreed he had previously testified, “The Arrowhead to Weston line may be tapped to provide local support to the northwestern Wisconsin region.”
The PSCW’s “technical hearings,” which began Tuesday concluded Friday afternoon. Many witnesses were called to testify before Whitcomb and a legion of attorneys on both sides of the Arrowhead-Weston project. This is the first phase of a two-phase process that will include public hearings in three communities where the proposed 220-mile power line is slated.
Prompting this new round of PSCW hearings was a revised project-cost estimate, performed by the American Transmission Company and submitted to the PSCW in November 2002. Since then, the PSCW
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2-2-2-2 Arrowhead-Weston Technical Hearings conclude
sponsored an independent review, by the R.W. Beck engineering firm, of those revised costs and the cost of the King-Weston alternative.
Neumeyer testified:
“R.W. Beck was retained by the Commission to assess the reasonableness of the revised cost estimate of the Arrowhead-Weston transmission line project and to review the cost estimate of the King-Weston alternative. The final report titled: ‘Independent Cost Review of the Arrowhead-Weston Project’ dated 2003 stated that both cost estimates appear reasonable.”
The Arrowhead-Weston project will be constructed on nearly 80 percent existing rights-of-way (transmission lines, gas pipelines, railroads or highways) and will run from Wausau to Duluth. The line will cross the property of 800 landowners who will be compensated for the use of their land based on fair-market value. Counties and other local governments will receive one-time environmental and annual impact payments where the line crosses their land. The project will help ensure Wisconsin has reliable and affordable energy in the future.
“We are inching toward resolution of this important decision,” said Mark Williamson, vice president of major projects for ATC. “The closer people look at this badly needed transmission line project — the environmental protections, landowner payments and citizen involvement this critical project involves — the more supporters we have.”
PSCW Public Hearings will be conducted:
o Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, Solon Springs
o Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, Ladysmith
o Friday, Oct. 3, 2003, Wausau
o Thursday, Nov.13, 2003, Ladysmith
ATC plans, constructs, operates and maintains transmission facilities in portions of Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois. It provides non-discriminatory service to all customers, supporting effective competition in energy markets without favoring any market participant. A member of the Midwest ISO regional transmission organization, ATC owns more than 8,600 miles of transmission lines with a total investment of approximately $640 million in transmission facilities. Visit our Web site at http://www.atcllc.com for more information.
* In testimony before the PSCW on the Chisago-Apple River transmission project on February, 18, 1999 in Dresser, Wis., Dr. Hughes stated, “Even if a solution were required today, there are feasible and prudent alternatives to the proposed Chisago 230kV power line that satisfy electrical system needs with a higher level of regard for the public interest. These options include: New Wisconsin based generation, possibly co-generation; Upgrades and rebuilds of existing Minnesota to Wisconsin power lines; Adding capacitors; The Arrowhead-Arpin (or Weston) line.”
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