PSC OK’s transmission line rebuild into Oconto County

PEWAUKEE – The state Public Service Commission has approved an electric reliability transmission line rebuild project between the Bayport Substation in Brown County and the Pioneer Substation in Oconto County.

American Transmission Co. submitted its application for the Bayport-Pioneer rebuild project last spring, and the order for the certificate of authority was issued March 19.

“The existing Bayport-Pioneer transmission line infrastructure needs to be rebuilt and upgraded to better serve the electric needs in Brown and Oconto counties,” said Jim Pericolosi, ATC project manager. “The PSC’s approval to replace outdated structures and wires significantly improves the region’s electric reliability and supports the area’s economic growth, which has been increasing over the last several years.”

The project was announced in early 2018 and includes replacing the transmission structures between the Bayport and Pioneer substations, replacing existing 69-kilovolt wires with 138-kilovolt wires, installing a second set of 138-kilovolt wires and making upgrades at the Bayport, Pioneer, Pulliam, Sobieski and Suamico substations.

The project is estimated to cost $47 million. Construction is projected to begin in late 2020, with an in-service date of 2022.