The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued a preliminary decision on the Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line to grant a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
Cardinal-Hickory Creek is a 345 kV transmission line that would connect northeast Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin, supporting a growing renewable energy production area in the Upper Midwest. The project is being carried out by American Transmission Co., ITC Midwest LLC and Dairyland Power Cooperative.
“On behalf of our NGO members who are working on carbon reduction across the Midwest and industry members who are developing utility-scale wind and solar energy projects, we applaud the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for supporting the Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line,” comments Beth Soholt, executive director of the Clean Grid Alliance (CGA), which has previously voiced support for the project.
“The demand for more renewable energy is palpable, and the Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line will provide the ability to access and deliver renewables,” continues Soholt. “We are seeing an ever-increasing stream of state governments, utilities and corporations announcing plans for more renewable energy because of its low-cost and environmental benefits. Our members are ready to fulfill their needs. We are grateful to the commission for recognizing that more transmission is necessary in order to deliver the clean energy future everyone wants. Cardinal-Hickory Creek will also strengthen the grid and provide congestion relief for an efficient energy market in Wisconsin and the surrounding states.”
The PSC is expected to issue a final written order by Sept. 30. There is also a segment of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line in Iowa, and the Iowa Utilities Board will hear that case in December.
