La Crosse, WI—Dairyland Power Cooperative is the selected developer for a Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., (MISO) 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission project in Wisconsin. The competitive bid was won by Dairyland to develop, own and operate a new 345 kV line from the Mississippi River to the Tremval substation (Blair, WI).
“These transmission facilities will foster the delivery of renewable resources from the West and strengthen reliability in the region,” said Dairyland Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ben Porath. “Dairyland has a strong history of owning and operating 69 kV and 161 kV transmission projects in our four-state region. Although Dairyland has co-owned 345 kV projects, this is a milestone as it will be Dairyland’s first opportunity to both own and operate a 345 kV transmission line as our cooperative readies for the energy transition.”
About the Alma-Blair Transmission Project: The new 345 kV transmission line is located from the Mississippi River near Alma, WI, to the Tremval substation near Blair, WI. The scope of work of the Alma-Blair Transmission Project includes installation of new 345 kV conductor, insulators and hardware on replaced double-circuit structures in tandem with Dairyland’s 161 kV transmission line. This project is recommended by MISO as part of Tranche 1 of their Long Range Transmission Plan (LRTP). It is part of LRTP4, a broader group of transmission projects that extend from the Wilmarth substation near Mankato, MN, to the Tremval substation near Blair, WI. The LRTP4 projects are expected to be in service by June 1, 2028. Additional information about MISO awarded competitive bids can be found here. About Dairyland: With headquarters in La Crosse, Wis., Dairyland provides wholesale electricity to 24 member distribution cooperatives and 27 municipal utilities. These cooperatives and municipals, in turn, supply the energy needs of approximately 700,000 people. Dairyland has been purposefully diversifying its generating resources, which currently include wind, solar, renewable-enabling natural gas, coal, hydro and biogas. Electricity is delivered via 3,300 miles of transmission lines and 232 substations located throughout the system’s 44,500 square mile service area. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative, Dairyland’s service area encompasses 62 counties in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. Visit www.dairylandpower.com.
