The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin has approved the Badger Coulee 345 kV transmission line. The line is anticipated to help reliability and ease congestion within the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO).
The project is a joint effort between American Transmission Co. and Northern States Power Co. – Wisconsin. The 180-mile project – which will run from La Crosse to Madison, Wis. – is expected to cost approximately $580 million.
‘The Badger Coulee line is a vital link in the integrated network of transmission projects known as MISO Multi-Value Projects,’ says Beth Soholt, executive director at Wind on the Wires, a regional partner of the American Wind Energy Association.
‘Construction of the line is critical for the development and delivery of several thousand megawatts of clean, low-cost wind power. The new line will also reduce congestion in the MISO energy market and add to the reliability of the overall MISO grid,’ she adds. ‘A number of clean energy advocacy organizations have worked on this new transmission line over the years, and we are extremely pleased at the outcome of this proceeding in Wisconsin.’
