An open house explaining a proposed electrical transmission line from southern Walworth County to western Kenosha County will take place in Paddock Lake this week.
The open house will take place between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m, Wednesday, Jan. 30, Christ Lutheran Church, 24929 75th St. (Hwy. 50), Paddock Lake.
A similar event also will take place Tuesday, Jan. 29, Hawks View Golf Club, 7377 Krueger Rd., Lake Geneva.
There is no set program to the open houses. Attendees will be able to ask questions or view exhibits at any time.
American Transmission Co. is proposing the Spring Valley-North Lake Geneva Electric Reliability Project. At the opens houses, attendees will be able to review substation sites and potential routes for the proposed 25-mile, 138-kilovolt line from southern Walworth County to western Kenosha County. The new transmission line and substation are needed to improve electric system reliability in the area.
“This is the start of our public outreach on the proposed new electric infrastructure. The open house is an opportunity for area residents to learn about the project and review the various route options and substation sites currently under consideration,†said Mary Carpenter, ATC local relations representative. “Public input and feedback helps us better evaluate the route options for challenges and sensitivities.â€
According to a press release issued by ATC:
The electric transmission system in the area is vulnerable to low voltages and power outages and will no longer adequately support the lower-voltage distribution system. ATC studies indicate that the project would deliver benefits to the area by strengthening the electric transmission system to meet the growing use of electricity. This estimated $80.6 million project will provide system redundancy and allow for maintenance outages to equipment and facilities when repairs are needed. ATC is hosting two open houses.”
Lines are run along roads when possible to take advantage of existing easements. Where that is not possible, land ownes are compensated fro acquiring needed easements, the project’s website says.
The project also includes construction of a new electric substation near Twin Lakes.
Following these open houses, ATC will narrow the potential route options and conduct additional open houses later this year before filing an application in 2014 with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for permission to build the power line and substation. If approved by the PSC, construction would begin in 2016 to meet an in-service date of 2019.