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Grid Forward Central Wisconsin Project: A Comprehensive Analysis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Grid Forward Central Wisconsin Project, proposed by American Transmission Company and Northern States Power Company-Wisconsin, aims to rebuild approximately 175 miles of existing transmission line and construct a new 200-mile 345 kV transmission line to connect three substations in Wisconsin. This project is part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's (MISO) Long Range Transmission Plan (LRTP) Tranche 1 portfolio, designed to address challenges to electric reliability and resilience in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • The project is in the public interest, considering alternative locations, and will have the least adverse impact on wildlife habitat.
  • The Grid Forward Project will not have undue adverse environmental impacts, with measures taken to minimize wetland impacts, avoid wildlife habitats, and reduce vegetation management costs.
  • The project will improve public health and welfare by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a 27.79% reduction in CO2 emissions in 2032, 21.75% in 2037, and 15.38% in 2042, relative to calculated CO2 emissions without the power lines constructed.
  • The project will resolve overloads of existing lines and transformers, and mitigate other reliability concerns due to load growth and changes in the generation mix.
  • The project will strengthen the transmission network in Wisconsin and across MISO by connecting the Tremval-Arpin-Columbia Substations and promoting grid stability.
  • The project has been approved by MISO as part of its LRTP Tranche 1 portfolio, which was developed to address rapid changes to the bulk electric system.
  • The project will help ensure that the bulk electric system can maintain reliability and prevent widespread outages.
  • The project's vegetation management plan will use Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) to mitigate ecological impacts and reduce long-term management costs.
  • Clean Wisconsin recommends approval of the Primary Route, which would have less impact on wildlife habitats and be shorter overall.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 175 miles of existing transmission line will be rebuilt, and a new 200-mile 345 kV transmission line will be constructed.
  • The project will reduce CO2 emissions by 27.79% in 2032, 21.75% in 2037, and 15.38% in 2042, relative to calculated CO2 emissions without the power lines constructed.
  • The project will improve public health and welfare by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The Primary and Alternate Routes will share 57% of their area with existing right-of-way (ROW).
  • The project will intersect at least 400 waterways and will take measures to avoid impacts on waterways.
  • The project will impact 256.2 acres of permanent forested wetland conversion in the Primary Route and 346.5 acres in the Alternate Route.

Sources:

  • BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF WISCONSIN Joint Application of American Transmission Company LLC and Northern States Power Company-Wisconsin, as Electric Public Utilities, for a Certificate of Public Convenience And Necessity to Rebuild Existing Transmission Infrastructure And Construct and Operate Long Range Transmission Planning Tranche 1, Project 6, a New 345 kV Transmission Line Connecting The Tremval-Arpin-Columbia Substations in the Counties of Trempealeau, Wood, and Columbia, Wisconsin, to be known as the Grid Forward Central Wisconsin Project.
  • Docket 5-CE-157 CLEAN WISCONSIN'S INITIAL POST-HEARING BRIEF PROJECT OVERVIEW
  • NRCS's Wisconsin Guidance Document 420 regarding habitat development for pollinators.

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