Why are the new lines and substations needed? Can the existing facilities be upgraded?
County’s use of electricity is growing rapidly—at a rate nearly twice the statewide average. The Dane County population growth rate is among the highest in the state. This translates to the need for electric transmission lines. The continued and future reliability of electric service in Dane County is heavily dependent on the condition of the high-voltage transmission network in and around the county. All of the transmission improvements planned for Dane County represent a deliberate and coordinated series of initiatives to provide the right solutions at the right time. Between 2002 and 2007, we’re placing into service $110 million in transmission investments. Despite this short-term work, a comprehensive and independent report issued early this year by the Energy Initiative concluded that a series of four additional major transmission projects were needed to keep pace with demand. The EI found that a major new transmission line would be needed by 2011 and every few years thereafter to
