On May 26, 2021, we filed a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity application for the proposed Ashland-Ironwood Transmission Relocation project with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW). We thank landowners and stakeholders in the area for participating in our public open houses and providing us with valuable feedback on route options over the past two years. The application includes five route options labeled as A, B, C, D and E. Xcel Energy’s application with the PSCW can be viewed on the PSCW website (external link).
On April 15, 2022, the PSCW selected and Route E and granted a CPCN permit. Xcel Energy will be managing the acquisition of the necessary land rights and permits needed for the construction of the project. Xcel Energy has retained Steigerwaldt Land Services to acquire the necessary easements. This summer, project land acquisition agents from Steigerwaldt will be reaching out to begin discussions with impacted landowners to acquire the necessary easements for the construction of the project. Project land acquisition agents will contact landowners along Route E to discuss the project, how it affects your property and to answer your questions. We will attempt to address any issues raised to reach a mutually acceptable easement agreement.
Please note that you may see survey and geotechnical crews in the area starting Summer 2022. The crews are completing field work to provide environmental reviews and data for transmission line design of the project. Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with an estimated in-service date in 2026. Refer to the timeline below.
E-subscribe to receive future notices from the PSCW (external link) during the construction/compliance phases of the project under PSC docket number 4220-CE-183.
If approved, construction is expected to begin in 2025, with an estimated in-service date in 2026.
The project overview map below displays the proposed route options at a high level. The purple, yellow and purple/yellow lines on the map designate the four potential routes for the new transmission lines. Each of the four routes have a varying combination of shared route segments.
The interactive map below shows the proposed route options. You can type in your address in the search bar and zoom in and out using the + and – symbols to view where the proposed routes are located.
View photo simulations (PDF) show examples of proposed routes/structure types.
We held several public open houses in 2019, 2020 and 2021 to develop the final route segment options that will be in our application to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
A video recording of the March 30 virtual open house is here (external link).
Learn more about the project by viewing some frequently asked questions.
The 88 kV line was built in the 1950s and the 115 kV line was built in the 1970s. Both lines are critical to providing reliable power to northern Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula Michigan customers including Xcel Energy, Bayfield Electric and Price Electric customers. However, due to natural weathering, lightning damage and other factors, the wood pole structures are approaching the end of their useful service life. Approximately 90 percent of the lines run cross-country on separate corridors through difficult terrain features including wetlands, beaver ponds, bogs, rivers, steep ravines and rocky outcroppings that pose challenges for construction and future maintenance.
You can submit questions or comments by sending an email to matthew.j.mcfarlane@xcelenergy.com or calling 715-737-2434.
