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9/26/03 |
True to form, the American Transmission Company's (ATC) recent press release (www.atcllc.com),
ostensibly recapping the outcome of the Arrowhead-Weston technical hearings,
demonstrates once again that the ATC is better at creative writing than
presenting complete and accurate information concerning the Arrowhead Weston
transmission line.
Arrowhead-Weston, a bulk-transfer transmission line was initially proposed to
serve the needs of eastern Wisconsin, is now touted, by the ATC, to address the
needs of northwestern Wisconsin.*** Who in their right mind would spend a
half-billion dollars of Wisconsin's ratepayer money to build a line to support
Northwestern Wisconsin - a group of counties that use less than 6% of the
state's total electricity each year?
In fact the Arrowhead line is designed to facilitate California-style
deregulation in Wisconsin, and reap big money for ATC as they profit from the
wheeling of energy through Wisconsin to points East. Unfortunately, just as
California was duped by Enronitis - Wisconsin is subjected to ATCitis on a
regular basis.
In an irresponsible attempt to mislead readers through selective quotations
taken out of context, ATC's recent press release would lead one to believe that Save
Our Unique Land's expert witness at the technical hearings,
Dr. Art Hughes, endorses the Arrowhead line for bulk-transfer purposes. Dr.
Hughes clearly stated to the utility upon questioning, “its like comparing
apples to oranges.”
It is clear from Dr. Hughes 1999 Chisago testimony, when reviewed in its
entirety, that he originally viewed Arrowhead as a possible alternative to a
proposed Chisago line – for local load purposes only. His testimony was
presented four months prior to his review of any documentation released by the
utilities about using the proposed Arrowhead-Weston transmission line, instead,
as a regional "reliability" solution.
Dr. Hughes’ recent prefiled testimony at the PSC, and cross examination by ATC
attorneys, has made it quite clear that the proposed Arrowhead line cannot
provide Wisconsin with regional security against blackouts.
In fact, Dr. Hughes testified that, as proposed, the Arrowhead line would most
likely rapidly cascade out of service during any similar disturbance like the
recent east coast event. Dr. Hughes, through the use of industry studies and
comparisons demonstrated ways Wisconsin can enjoy a better return on investment
of state ratepayer dollars, provide system reliability, and upgrade the current
system to best serve the energy market, all without the use of the Arrowhead
line!
Dr. Hughes also testified that for the money, Arrowhead is extremely limited in
its ability to import electricity into Wisconsin, will require complex and
expensive equipment and procedures even to operate, and it will actually drive
the need for multiple huge new 345 kilovolt transmission lines across central
Wisconsin. The limitations of the Arrowhead Weston transmission line in regards
to providing any security measures for Wisconsin were “clearly lacking and
involved less than adequate engineering studies, such as would be needed for
reliable operation to provide back up for any major area blackouts,” said Dr.
Hughes.
SOUL believes ATC needs to stop wasting time and money on attempts to buffalo
the public and get serious about identifying real cost effective solutions to
Wisconsin's energy needs!
For More Information Please Contact:
Attorney Glenn Stoddard 608-256-1003
Tom Kreager 715-693-3143
Linda Ceylor 715-474-2271
***Need proof? Check the front page of ATC’s website at: www.atcllc.com - “ Find out more about our Arrowhead-Weston project - a new 220-mile transmission line needed to accommodate electric load growth and improve electric reliability in northwestern Wisconsin.” Then review the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) final order at: http://psc.wi.gov/pdffiles/ord_notc/6259.PDF, page 28. “When placed in operation, the Arrowhead-Weston project will substantially improve the ability of Wisconsin utilities to import power reliably into eastern Wisconsin.” The final written order contains no references to northwestern Wisconsin.
