Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Direct Testimony on Grid Forward Project

Strategic Insights -

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has released direct testimony from Paul R. Rahn, Environmental Analyst in the Division of Digital Access, Consumer and Environmental Affairs. Rahn's testimony focuses on the Grid Forward Project, a joint endeavor by American Transmission Company LLC and Northern States Power Company-Wisconsin. The project involves the construction of a new power line transmission system, and Rahn's testimony provides a comprehensive analysis of the proposed routes' environmental impacts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Paul R. Rahn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Chemistry from Valparaiso University and a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  • Rahn has extensive experience in environmental reviews of utility plans and projects, with a career spanning over three decades, including a previous stint at the Public Service Commission from 1990 to 2020 and a recent return to the commission in August 2024.
  • Rahn's responsibilities in reviewing the application included drafting sections on agriculture, land use plans, proximity to residences and sensitive populations, and aesthetics and visual impacts.
  • The testimony highlights significant differences in agricultural impacts between the proposed and alternative routes, with the proposed route resulting in approximately 23 more obstacles to farm machinery and removing about 4.3 more acres of cropland from production.
  • The alternative route would require about 4.7 more miles of new cross-country right-of-way not following any existing corridors.
  • Both proposed routes would pass through areas designated for rural land uses in community future land use plans, but the Proposed Route would impact Alma Center and Merrillan, while the Alternative Route would impact Hatfield and Pittsville.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 12 more poles would be placed in cropland for the Proposed Route than for the Alternative Route.
  • About 4.3 more acres of cropland would lay within the Proposed Route's permanent right-of-way.
  • There are approximately 65 more agricultural buildings and two more dairy operations near the Proposed Route than the Alternative Route.

Sources:

  • Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Direct Testimony of Paul R. Rahn
  • Wisconsin Public Service Commission's website: https://www.psc.wi.gov/