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Understanding the Electric Transmission Line Process
Earlier this year, a major
transmission line project was proposed in southwestern Wisconsin. Whenever
these long-term projects begin, residents who may be impacted react with
concern and often reach out to legislative offices to intervene in the
process.
As your State Senator, I do not have a unique role in the process to
determine the path of transmission lines. I have the same opportunity as any
citizen to seek information and provide input, but I do not have any
extraordinary influence; and this separation is intentionally by design. The
goal is to take politics out of the process.
The transmission line process is managed solely by the Wisconsin Public
Service Commission (PSC) to de-politicize decisions and enable individual
citizens to have equal voices and ample opportunities to study, ask
questions, provide input and seek resolution to issues they find with
projects. The average transmission line review process takes several years
from planning to public information to formal application and review. There
are many opportunities for citizens to review, study and provide input.
According to the PSC, a utility must receive a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for a transmission project that is either:
·
345 kilovolts (kV) or greater; or,
·
less than 345 kV by greater than or equal to
100 kV, over one mile in length, and needing some new right-of-way.
The application for a CPCN
triggers the official beginning of the PSC’s Transmission Line Review
Process, but much work is done before the formal process begins.
The PSC and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) portions of the project
process are short when compared to the upfront planning, study and
communications coordinated by the applicant company, which may begin months,
if not years, before an application is submitted. While this part of the
process is not formalized in state statute or by the PSC, it is important for
citizens to begin studying and providing input directly to the company during
this time.
Transmission companies have determined that they must lay a lot of groundwork
before submitting a formal application and many have designed complex public
relations and community outreach programs to connect with the people and communities
who may be impacted by a proposed route for a transmission line. Public
Information Meetings and Open Houses are a major part of this effort and are
an important way for individual citizens to become involved.
 During Public
Information Meetings and Open Houses, applicant companies will seek to share
their plans and rationale for constructing transmission lines along a number
of routes. They will meet with stakeholders, residents, community leaders and
other interested parties to discuss their plans. They are also seeking input
from citizens to determine the support for various routes and other
decisions. All impacted and interested citizens should begin participating in
the process at this point. This is when changes can be made informally before
the application is submitted.
Once the application is submitted to the PSC, the agency has 30 days to
determine if the application is complete. If it is, the PSC then has 180 days
to approve or deny the application with the option to extend for another 180
days for a total of 360 days. Throughout these 180/360 days, there is
significant time dedicated, by statute, for public hearings, technical
hearings and citizen input directly to the PSC. This is when a citizen can
provide formal input to the agency.
If the application is approved by the PSC, the DNR has a small window of time
to issue necessary permits and construction can begin. Depending on the size
of the project and all of the factors involved with construction, the
physical installation of the line may take years.
The PSC offers several briefs on the full Transmission Line Review process
that are available online.
Application Review Process Flow Chart – http://psc.wi.gov/aboutUs/documents/PSC%20App%20process.pdf
Transmission Line Review Process Outline – http://psc.wi.gov/thelibrary/publications/electric/electric08.pdf
Once the application is submitted, public hearings are scheduled, but you are
also welcomed to submit written comments. You will find the portal for
submitting comments here - http://psc.wi.gov/apps40/dockets/comment.aspx
I encourage every citizen who is interested in the Transmission Line Review
process to take advantage of the many opportunities to study and discuss the
projects that may impact them. It is important to be informed and aware of
the steps so that your input and ideas become a part of the process.
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Useful
Information
Wisconsin Monthly Housing Statistics
The Wisconsin Realtors
Association (WRA) recently released the following data related to housing in
Wisconsin. To view data related to these statistics, please visit the WRA Website.
Wisconsin
Regional Report
Reflecting
residential data through June 2016
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Median Price
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Sales
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County
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YTD 2016
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YTD 2015
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% Change
|
YTD 2016
|
YTD 2015
|
% Change
|
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Grant
|
114,350
|
117,500
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-2.7%
|
188
|
165
|
+13.9%
|
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Green
|
153,000
|
157,000
|
-2.5%
|
225
|
249
|
-9.6%
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Iowa
|
148,000
|
141,950
|
+4.3%
|
148
|
134
|
+10.4%
|
|
Juneau
|
100,195
|
76,125
|
+31.6%
|
160
|
172
|
-7.0%
|
|
Lafayette
|
117,500
|
92,000
|
+27.7%
|
57
|
63
|
-9.5%
|
|
Monroe
|
140,000
|
122,500
|
+14.3%
|
219
|
203
|
+7.9%
|
|
Richland
|
110,000
|
90,000
|
+22.2%
|
78
|
78
|
0.0%
|
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Sauk
|
159,000
|
153,450
|
+3.6%
|
438
|
402
|
+9.0%
|
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Vernon
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155,000
|
123,000
|
+26.0%
|
105
|
113
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-7.1%
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Senator Howard Marklein is pleased to
provide this legislative E-Update for the constituents of the 17th State
Senate District. Please feel free to share this update with other interested
citizens and taxpayers. You are receiving this update because you have either
subscribed or contacted Senator Marklein directly.
Please Note: If you have contacted the Senator with specific input or
questions, a personal response is forthcoming, if need be.
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State Capitol - Room 8 South -
Post Office Box 7882 - Madison, Wisconsin 53707 - Phone: (608) 266-0703
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