Public Service Comm. okays new power lines

WAUWATOSA (WITI) -- The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved on Friday, March 1st, the joint application of Wisconsin Electric Power Company and the American Transmission Company for authority to construct two 138 kV electric transmission lines and an associated substation in Wauwatosa.

The goal of the project is to increase reliability for the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center and growing electric loads in the western portion of Milwaukee County.

The Commission's routing decisions favored above-ground transmission options when possible in an effort to protect ratepayers from undue costs of undergrounding. The Commissioners agreed that undergrounding is appropriate in very limited situations, generally to address technical or engineering concerns.

The total project cost as sited, including all transmission, substation, and certification costs, will be approximately $34 million.

The Commission-approved routes for the project are as follows: