Statement of Mark Williamson, Vice President of Major Projects

Dec. 15, 2003

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin verbally approves Arrowhead-Weston project at revised cost estimate

We are encouraged that the Public Service Commission has taken this important first step of verbally approving the Arrowhead-Weston project at the revised cost estimate.

Wisconsin’s transmission infrastructure is vulnerable and in need of improvement. The Arrowhead-Weston transmission project will play a vital role to help ensure our electric reliability and security. As the transmission utility serving most of Wisconsin, it’s ATC’s responsibility to see that this vital project gets built.

While the Commission’s decision is an important positive step forward, the Commission must still issue its final written order. We respect the Commission’s thorough review and decision-making process and look forward to the final written order and ultimately beginning construction of this critical transmission project.

###