Designated a multi-value project, the Badger Coulee Transmission Line Project is expected to offset the requirement for $160m in lower voltage upgrades in western Wisconsin, provide increased access to the wholesale energy market, while offering $259m to $841m in net economic benefits over its life.
Additionally, the project is likely to establish another pathway for renewable energy into Wisconsin with a connection to key load centers.
The companies have proposed two route options with the same end points, with Xcel Energy’s new Briggs Road Substation near Holmen and ATC’s North Madison Substation in the Town of Vienna, continuing to ATC’s Cardinal Substation in the Town of Middleton.
Xcel Energy project manager David Rockwell said the regulatory review process will take 12 to 18 months for completion.
”During that time, the PSC will provide opportunities for the public and other stakeholders to get involved,” Rockwell added.
ATC environmental and local relations manager Greg Levesque said, ”We’ve looked at hundreds of paths for these lines and made adjustments based on what we learned from area landowners, businesses, community organizations and local officials.”
Selected by the PSC up on approval of the project, the construction of the final route will commence in 2016, to meet an in-service date of 2018.
The estimated cost is $514m to $552m, depending on the route.
