American Transmission Co., ITC Midwest, Dairyland Power Cooperative: Announce May public public open houses for Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line project

American Transmission Co.: Kaya Freiman, 877-506-6117, kfreiman@atcllc.com
ITC Midwest: Tom Petersen, 319-297-6793, tpetersen@itctransco.com
Dairyland Power Cooperative:: Deb Mirasola, 608-787-1378, deb.mirasola@dairylandpower.com or
Katie Thomson, 608-787-1323, katie.thomson@dairylandpower.com

New transmission line will provide reliability, economic and public policy benefits

MADISON, WIS. ─ American Transmission Co., ITC Midwest LLC and Dairyland Power Cooperative will host open houses next month to update the public on plans for a new electric transmission line that would connect Dane County, Wisconsin, and Dubuque County, Iowa.

The Cardinal-Hickory Creek Project would connect ATC’s Cardinal Substation in the Town of Middleton, Wisconsin, with ITC’s Hickory Creek Substation in Dubuque County, Iowa. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., the regional electric transmission organization, approved the need for the approximately 125-mile, 345,000-volt project as part of a portfolio of 17 transmission line projects that were identified as Multi-Value Projects. These projects are expected to deliver multiple benefits to electric consumers across the Midwest by improving electric system reliability, providing economic benefits to utilities and electric consumers, and expanding electric infrastructure to support public policy for greater use of renewable energy.

“Investing in a robust transmission system is necessary for regional reliability and to support lower and stable energy prices by reducing congestion,” said Ben Porath, Dairyland vice president, power delivery. “Cardinal-Hickory Creek will also support renewable energy policy. As Dairyland continues to diversify its generation portfolio with more renewable resources, the ability to access and transport renewable energy in the region will only grow in importance.”

Next month’s open houses follow those held in October 2014 to introduce the project in Wisconsin. Since that time, the companies have worked to identify preliminary corridors for routing the line. The companies will share those corridors at next month’s open houses.

“Landowners and local officials have an important role to play in this process,” said Angela Jordan, ITC area manager for local government and community affairs. “These open houses are part of our ongoing process of communication and dialogue with local landowners, citizens and other stakeholders about this important project.”

Dates and locations for the open houses are listed below. Open houses are scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. at each location. Attendees are encouraged to come at any time to speak with subject matter experts and learn more about the project; there will be no formal presentation.

Monday, May 16 –

Peosta Community Center
7896 Burds Road
Peosta, IA 52068

Tuesday, May 17 –

Pioneer Lanes
1185 US (Business) 151
Platteville, WI 53818

Wednesday, May 18 –

Deer Valley Lodge
401 West Industrial Drive
Barneveld, WI 53507

Thursday, May 19 –

Deer Valley Lodge
401 West Industrial Drive
Barneveld, WI 53507

“We understand people have questions about the project and our plans, and these open houses will be a good way for the public to get updates and offer their perspectives,” said Jon Callaway, ATC senior local relations representative. “We look forward to meeting with the public and talking about their involvement in the routing and regulatory processes.”

The project will require state regulatory approvals from Wisconsin and Iowa agencies as well as federal approvals from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Army Corps of Engineers. The utilities anticipate filing applications with state regulatory agencies in 2018 and 2019. Based on the regulatory process and involvement of multiple local, state and federal regulatory agencies, the companies are anticipating that the project would be in service in 2023.

For more information, including a project map, visit www.cardinal-hickorycreek.com.