January 2013
Project updates

Construction is underway on the 345-kilovolt Pleasant Prairie-Zion Energy Center Transmission Line Project, which will link substations in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Although only a little more than five miles long, the project will deliver significant economic and reliability benefits.  

The new line will relieve congestion on the existing transmission system in the area, allowing output from the most economic power plants in the region to supply electricity more of the time. It also strengthens the interstate connection between Wisconsin and Illinois. The project also presents a unique construction challenge - while most of the route crosses industrial property, a portion will traverse a closed, solid-waste landfill. Special environmental and foundation design measures are being used to protect soil and groundwater. Methane gas build-up can be commonplace in landfills, and levels will be monitored to protect worker safety. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has reviewed and approved our construction plans and environmental safeguards.

    

 

Cold winter weather is providing ideal conditions to help us protect sensitive environmental areas on our Straits-Pine River Transmission Line Rebuild Project near St. Ignace, Mich. Much of this line runs through the Hiawatha National Forest, and includes significant wetlands. Performing construction work when the ground is frozen results in fewer impacts; we also make extensive use of timber mats to protect the ground and provide a stable work surface.

 

We recently presented our plans to rebuild 58 miles of aging transmission lines in southern Wisconsin to local residents and officials. Lines stretching across Waukesha, Jefferson, Dodge and Washington counties are reaching the end of their lifespan and will be replaced. A regulatory application for the Quad County Electric Reliability Project will be filed with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in February.

Did you know?

We recently earned the "Clean Corporate Citizen" designation from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, one of the state's highest environmental stewardship honors. Known as aC3 designation, it is a voluntary environmental program that recognizes environmental stewardship at Michigan facilities. Candidates demonstrate facility-specific environmental management systems, active pollution prevention initiatives and a consistent record of compliance with state and federal environmental requirements. The designation is complementary to our participation in the Wisconsin DNR's Green Tier Program.

 

Our efforts to protect the osprey gained recognition in Door County, Wis. recently, with the donation of an osprey nesting platform to The Ridges Sanctuary. As part of our Avian Protection Program, we partner with environmental groups and others to keep osprey from building nests on transmission structures--helping to protect the birds and keep our system operating reliably. Ospreys like to build large nests on wide, flat surfaces. The platforms are a good alternative to power line poles.

ATC in the community

Our 2012 United Way campaign was a major success, raising more than $100,000 for agencies in Brown, Dane, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties in Wisconsin, and Dickinson County, Mich. Activities in our offices included a chili cook-off, ice cream social and jersey days (wear your favorite Wisconsin or Michigan team's jersey on Friday for $5; all other states, $6!) ATC matched employee contributions $0.25 for every $1 to further stretch community support.

 

Employees displayed their generosity over the holidays, too, by conducting drives at each office. In Madison, employees set up a giving tree to benefit children through the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. Pewaukee employees conducted a Toys for Tots drive this year to benefit local children and their families. A Salvation Army family was adopted by our De Pere office employees, helping to support a mom and dad raising three children. Kingsford staff collected food and made contributions to a local soup kitchen and food pantry.

 

The De Pere office also completed its annual "Second Time Around" holiday recycling/regifting program. Employees are encouraged to bring in old or unused eye glasses, cell phones and chargers, and athletic shoes. The glasses are donated to the Lion's Club for distribution to those in need; the phones are donated to a local domestic abuse shelter where personal data is scrubbed and the phones programed for 911 usage; and the stinky shoes are shipped to a Nike recycling program for use in making running tracks.

Safety corner

It goes without saying that January weather brings with it increased opportunities for slips, trips and falls on ice- or snow-covered surfaces. Parking lots and sidewalks can be hazardous places, but interior floors and hallways can also become slippery from snow and water tracked in on shoes and boots. Areas near exit doors can be particularly unsafe. Take extra time and care to prevent injuries by paying attention to conditions inside and out. Wear sensible shoes with non-skid soles and a low to moderate heel height, and bring the fashionable shoes to work in a bag or briefcase! Boots or shoes with rubber soles also help prevent slipping.

Customer connections
Customer resources and contact information for our external relations team can be found on our website. If you have any questions, please contact Marcia Louden at [email protected]. 
Invite an ATC representative
to speak to your group
Let us tell you and your service group or professional organization more about ATC. Simply email us at [email protected] and indicate a topic area you're interested in, such as new projects, environmental commitment, vegetation management or electric transmission. We'll work with you to schedule a speaker for an upcoming meeting.  
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ATC is a Green Tier company, selected by the Wisconsin DNR for demonstrating 
superior environmental performance and continual improvement.