The application for the ATC/Xcel Energy Badger-Coulee transmission has arrived, and WOW, that’s some application!!
BIG THANKS TO LISA AGRIMONTI, ATTORNEY FOR XCEL ENERGY!!!
Now I’ve got a little light reading to do!
Badger Coulee — it’s EVERYWHERE!!!
Wisconsin power line to connect with CapX2020
New power line routes proposed
PSC Sees Application For High Capacity Power Lines Between La Crosse, Madison
Badger Coulee transmission line Utilities file application for Badger Coulee
Xcel, American Transmission Co. propose Wisconsin power line
Application filed for high-voltage line between Holmen and Madison
MADISON – ATC to build $514 million transmission line in western Wisconsin
More power lines aren’t state’s only energy option, say critics
New high-voltage lines proposed
La Crosse-Madison Power Line Proposal Submitted To PSC
ATC files application for huge power line into Dane County
Line would bring power from La Crosse to Madison
Madison-La Crosse power line would cost $514 million to $552 million
A press release and a little birdie and a big birdie confirm that Charlie Higley has left CUB and has gone to ATC, yes, AMERICAN TRANSMISSION COMPANY.
The good news is that apparently it is NOT a policy position. That matters. BUT that he’s moving over to a transmission company that is a frequent applicant at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission is not good, and CUB is a constant recipient of PSC Intervenor Compensation, it’s probably their major income source (? will check this out). This is his first stop in the doorway at ATC. Let’s see what happens. BUT, again, BUT, this is a little too cozy. They’ll be paying him a good salary, benefits, and I can’t see them hiring someone with his experience/history if he were, say, from Portland, OR or Enid, Oklahoma. Higley is a known quantity to ATC on a personal level. CUB, as an organization, and ATC also have a longstanding relationship, though too, not nearly as challenging and adversarial as I’d like to see, one look at the RE-AMP transmission agenda. CUB’s involvement in RE-AMP shows the buy-in to acquiescence at best, promotion at worst, of the RE-AMP transmission agenda, evidenced by a lack of material and effective opposition to transmission. I view this hire as formalizing that relationship between Higley personally and ATC, and it remains to be seen whether this has an impact on CUB organizationally.
Again, it’s my understanding that this is NOT a policy position, and as such, it’s not as egregious as Mikey Bull’s traipsing from House Research, to EQB/Commerce, to officing under Gov. Pawlenty’s roof, to Wind on the Wires, to Xcel Energy (OMD! Manager of Policy and Strategy!?!), and to Center for Energy and Environment.
But folks, it’s hard to put a positive spin on this… Charlie Higley is now working for ATC.
p.s. Hey, Charlie, do you remember that day we met, it was in Belleville, home of an engineer, whose name I can’t recall… that was back when you had a 66 Ford, pre BMW days… who’da thought you’d end up at ATC…
It will take a coon’s age to download all this, but here’s a start, the most important pieces:
These strike me as the most important… more to follow
Today No CapX 2020 is awarding a newly minted Award to Anne Spaltholz, for going above and beyond the call of duty, in all likelihood, for going against her charge as PR Manager of Corporate Communications… this is awarded for her unwillingness to send me a hard copy of the Badger-Coulee application.
Drum roll please:
To ATC’s Anne Spaltholz, the No CapX 2020 Horse’s Ass Award for her excellence in managing Corporate Communications of American Transmission Company:
From: Carol A. Overland [mailto:overland@legalectric.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 9:12 AM
To: Spaltholz, Anne [aspaltholz@atcllc.com]
Subject: Badger Coulee Application 05-CE-142
Good Morning ATC Anne!
Would you or one of your minions please send me a hard copy of the Application for the Badger Coulee line?
Badger-Coulee and the GNTL Application filed together… must have been the full moon.
The GNTL hard copy is on the way. That and your Badger Coulee will make for some good reading on these brisk evenings. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
Carol
+++++++++++++++++++
Hello Carol,
Thanks for your continued interest in the Badger Coulee project. As you know, ATC and Xcel filed the application yesterday with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. We file our applications electronically, and the complete documentation (nearly 3,000 pages) is available to any member of the public on the PSC’s website. http://psc.wi.gov/apps35/ERF_search/content/SearchResult.aspx  Additionally, by early next week, we will have sent disks loaded with the complete application to municipal clerks and the main public libraries in the counties in which the project is proposed.  We do not print or make available hard copies to members of the general public. The electronic filing and disks greatly reduce costs by avoiding printing and mailing a document this size. I encourage you to take advantage of these electronic resources.
Regards,
Anne Spaltholz
Manager, Corporate Communications American Transmission Co. www.atcllc.com Tel: 262.506.6933 Cell: 262.424.7742+++++++++++++++++++
From: Carol A. Overland
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 1:46 PM
To: Spaltholz, Anne
Subject: Re: Badger Coulee Application 05-CE-142Oh, yes, I see it there on the PSC docket, that’s why I asked for a hard copy, and noted that Minnesota Power is sending me one for their Great Northern Transmission Line, also applied for the other day. Xcel has always sent one on request. They know it’s good for their reputation to make nice with us! And hey, ya gotta keep up with the Minnesota Power’s and Xcel’s of the world!
Carol
+++++++++++++++++++
Ha. It’s 2013; who prints and mails 3,000 pages? Cuddle up with your Kindle and enjoy the read.
Best,
Anne Spaltholz
Manager, Corporate Communications American Transmission Co. www.atcllc.com Tel: 262.506.6933 Cell: 262.424.7742  +++++++++++++++++++Minnesota Power and Xcel do! Ask David Moeller (Minnesota Power)!
+++++++++++++++++++
Oh, ATC, how much you have to learn, and you’ve got just the right opportunity to learn from the experts, our “friends” at Xcel Energy. They’ve got it down and know how to get what they want, and ATC, you should know that. How’s ownership of this line workin’ for ya?
Yes, it’s true, ATC has applied to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for a CPCN for its Badger-Coulee line, the dashed part of CapX 2020 on the map above. Today also, Minnesota Power applied for a Certificate of Need for its (Not-So-) Great Northern Transmission line. Thanks, guys…
Two dockets, it was filed under a new number… so does that mean all that has gone before is gone? The old one was 137-CE-160, the new docket is 5-CE-142. To look up the dockets, go to www.psc.wi.gov, and plunk in the numbers. The good news is that they HAVE moved all the previous docket filings into the new 5-CE-142 docket!
Application filed for high-voltage line between Holmen and Madison
Utilities file application for Badger Coulee transmission line
The PSC’s site is REALLY, REALLY slow, maybe everyone in the Eastern Interconnect is looking at this? So, later… and until then:
image: detail of installation by Bronwyn Lace