This week, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) voted unanimously to preliminarily approve and select the route for the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line. The line will electrically connect Dane County, Wisconsin to Dubuque County, Iowa. Additional approvals are needed from the Iowa Utilities Board and federal agencies.

In a statement, PSCW Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq highlighted the importance of transmission infrastructure like the Cardinal-Hickory Creek line in expanding renewable energy to Wisconsin, as well as providing economic and reliability benefits. Approval of the line comes after Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order on clean energy on August 16.

The proposed 345 kilovolt Cardinal-Hickory Creek line would run for approximately 100 miles and cost approximately $492 million, with Wisconsin covering around $67 million. Construction is expected to begin in 2021, and the line is expected to be in service by 2023.

The project is a partnership between ITC Midwest, American Transmission Co., and Dairyland Power Cooperative.

A map of the proposed route options and additional project information are available at www.cardinal-hickorycreek.com.