Public Involvement and Outreach

“We encourage collaboration between ATC, property owners, communities, public officials, stakeholders and environmental groups.”

Before an electric transmission project is proposed and introduced to the public, we have already evaluated various alternatives as part of our ongoing assessment of the transmission system. In the case of major projects, we generally know several years in advance that an electric system solution will be needed to solve a future problem. We evaluate how those needs impact the system in an overall broader planning area. We also work closely with regional organizations responsible for interstate transmission issues to coordinate our infrastructure planning efforts on a regional and national level.

A project proposal generally kicks off a period of public involvement and outreach. The purpose of this outreach is to allow ATC, property owners, communities, public officials, stakeholders and environmental groups to collaborate on decisions related to the project, particularly decisions about routing and siting transmission lines.

Public outreach is a two-way street that includes a sincere and meaningful dialogue about the need and possible impacts of a proposed electric transmission line project. Before ATC seeks local or regulatory approval for a project, a comprehensive public involvement process takes place to gather input and feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. Public involvement begins before any potential routes are identified so that public input can be incorporated into the development of possible route options

Routing new transmission lines

Determining the location for new power lines
At ATC, we follow a careful and deliberate process for identifying and analyzing options for routing and siting new power lines – a process that ultimately strengthens our electric grid. Through input we receive from government agencies, the public, communities, and landowners, we consider options that are appropriate for the location and needs a particular project. We strive toward a balanced solution that follows a fair and inclusive process.

Routing criteria
When building new power lines, Wisconsin law requires, and Illinois law encourages, colocation with existing facilities and infrastructure to the extent feasible. The process typically begins by identifying a broad study area. Then potential corridors are identified that may be suitable for a high-voltage power line.

Primary routing opportunities – existing utility corridors:
• Electric lines
• Pipelines

Secondary routing opportunities – existing transportation corridors:
• State and federal highways
• Railroads

Tertiary routing opportunities:
• Recreational trails

New corridors:
When primary, secondary, and tertiary routes are not viable, establish new corridors using property section lines and/or boundaries when feasible

Balancing routing considerations
Developing routes that may be suitable for power lines requires a balanced look at a variety of factors. Landowner and community input are considered, and we evaluate the impacts of proposed routes. Routing power lines may involve trade-offs between a particular set of advantages and disadvantages. ATC looks for routes that balance community input with environmental impacts, constructability, current and future land use, project cost and specific electric system needs. We propose routes in our regulatory applications that address electric system needs for all energy consumers in an area and reduce local impacts to the extent possible.

Public involvement process
At ATC, we use an open and interactive approach that involves gathering information and public feedback before submitting the application to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin or Illinois Commerce Commission.

Phase 1: Study area

Typically, we begin with a study area that identifies end points (substations – new or existing) for the power line. We gather data on environmental sensitivities, roads, railroads, pipelines, utility corridors and environmental areas, and start building a project map.

Phase 2: Potential corridors

In accordance with state laws and ATC guidelines, we identify many potential corridors after reviewing the study area. These corridors represent a range of reasonable paths throughout the study area to connect the project endpoints that may be suitable for line routes but have not yet been thoroughly evaluated. These corridors represent opportunities to rule in or rule out possible power line routes that require further evaluation and input.

Phase 3: Preliminary route options

The preliminary routes represent those that are “still on the table” and include more defined route possibilities. The preliminary routes have been evaluated more thoroughly and are likely to be considered for the project. As part of the route refinement process, new line segments that were not considered in previous phases may be added to the project map.

Phase 4: Proposed and alternate routes

These are the routes that have been identified as the most favorable based on environmental and land use considerations, suitability for construction, public acceptance, cost, and electric system needs. These routes will be formally presented in ATC’s regulatory application to the utility commission for authorization to construct the project. These routes are thoroughly characterized with supporting environmental, engineering and construction information, all of which is publicly available during this phase. In Wisconsin, we are required to submit two potential route options. In Illinois, we plan to submit one route.

Phase 5: Public feedback

During the route development process and prior to the application filing, ATC contacts local officials, community organizations and landowners to provide the latest developments of the project and offer opportunities for public feedback. After we file an application, the utility commission will evaluate whether the project is needed, hold a public hearing, and decide where to site the line. The PSCW route decision may or may not be the route that we recommend and may include some audit.

Lifecycle of a major
transmission line project

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Regulatory review process

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is the regulatory agency that approves major utility projects in Wisconsin. (Smaller projects usually require only local permits.)

Once we have gathered information from various stakeholders and identified power line route options (a process that can take a year or more), we prepare a CPCN application to be submitted to the PSC. A CPCN is a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which authorizes (in the form of a document called an Order) ATC to construct the project on the route that the PSC deems best. (A different type of authorization, called a Certificate of Authority (CA) is required for many smaller projects.)

Our application generally will include two or more route options along with all the documentation required for the PSC to review the project and render a decision (Order). The PSC will notify affected individuals when the review process has started, and will schedule public hearings so that the public may offer formal comments on the project. This review can take up to a year depending on the type of project.