Frequently Asked Questions

• A rebuild of approximately 175 miles of existing electric power lines to support the construction of approximately 200 mile 345-kV high-voltage line from the Tremval Substation in Trempealeau County, to an intermediate substation, the expanded Arpin Substation, in Wood County, and connecting the expanded Arpin Substation to the Columbia Substation in Columbia County.

Constraints on the electric grid, necessary reliability improvements, and access to lower-cost energy including renewable generation are all reasons for this project.

Our system planners evaluated several alternatives when determining the optimal solution that will meet the needs of the electric grid.

We worked directly with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator – an independent, not-for-profit, member-based organization that manages the flow of high-voltage electricity across 15 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba – to help determine the viability, planning and interconnection design for this proposed project.

ATC is required to explore cost-effective options when proposing new high-voltage power lines, which is typically overhead construction. Construction, environmental issues, operational challenges and costs generally rule out underground power lines for most projects. Areas where overhead lines may not be feasible, such as near airports, may be evaluated for underground construction.

The PSCW is the regulatory agency that reviews and approves major utility projects in Wisconsin. ATC submitted an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which included documentation required for the PSCW and the WDNR to review the project and make a decision. The WDNR also participated in the review of the application.

The estimated cost of this project is approximately $1.6 billion. The cost of power line projects are paid for by utility consumers through their local utility electric bills. High-voltage infrastructure generally makes up approximately 8 to 13 percent of the monthly bill, which is shared across 5 million electric consumers in ATC’s service area. In Wisconsin, projects approved by MISO as an MVP historically equate between 13 to 16 percent of the overall project cost. The remainder of the cost is shared across the North and Central MISO regions, making regional grid projects – such as our Grid Forward – Central Wisconsin Project – an exceptional value for Wisconsin’s energy consumers.

We worked directly with MISO in a collaborative planning process to help determine the routes, viability, planning and interconnection design for this project. This project is included in MISO’s Long Range Transmission Plan and the routes will make extensive use of existing infrastructure corridors to help reduce the impact on local areas and communities.

The land needed for the utility corridor is determined by engineering requirements for safe clearances. We compensate landowners when an easement is needed on private property.

Incompatible or dense, woody vegetation within a high-voltage power line easement is removed to allow construction crews to work safely and to allow the power line to operate reliably and safely once it’s completed and placed in service. We will discuss any vegetation removal plans with landowners in advance.

The construction plans are detailed in our application to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) under docket number 5-CE-157. For comprehensive information about the construction sequence, please refer to the interactive Project Map. Landowners who will be affected by the project will be notified in advance, with specific details related to the construction activities.

ATC works to minimize environmental impacts of construction, operation and maintenance and must comply with all laws that regulate activities that could significantly disturb birds, wildlife, wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas. Throughout the process ATC will continuously work to minimize impact of sensitive areas and develops plans to reduce potential impacts where possible.

Each property is unique. There are many factors that influence property values and the presence of a power line would be just one of them. That’s why ATC hires a neutral third-party appraiser to assess what impact a power line may have on each property.

If your property is impacted by this project, an ATC real estate representative will be in contact with you to negotiate a proposed easement to build and maintain access to the line. The calculation of the amount of compensation for an easement incorporates the fair-market value of the landowner’s property and the easement rights required for the power line(s) on the property.

The PSCW has ordered that ATC and Xcel Energy construct this project. Information regarding their process can be found under docket number 5-CE-157.

Additional information on a variety of topics can be found in the Project Library. If new easements are needed on your property, a real estate representative from WSB or Steigerwaldt Land Services (on behalf of ATC) will contact you to start the easement process. They will explain the steps involved and your rights under Wisconsin law. County specific contact information for general real estate inquiries was included in landowner notifications mailed in January 2026. For other non-real estate questions, please contact us at (608) 877-3500 or info@atc-gridforward.com.