Project Status: PLANNING
Strategic Purpose: Asset Reliability & Diversification
Project Contact: Email the project team
Related Resource(s): Project map

Alma-Blair Transmission Project

About
As a critical services provider, Dairyland Power Cooperative is updating transmission lines to relieve congestion along the grid, support growing renewable energy resources and ensure the continued delivery of safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity to homes and businesses in western Wisconsin.  

Dairyland's Alma-Blair Transmission Project is part of a long-range transmission project that will improve reliability while delivering low-cost energy across the Upper Midwest. The Alma-Blair Transmission Project will help make the grid more resilient during extreme weather conditions and will improve power delivery infrastructure that is essential to our energy future.  

Project Details  

The Alma-Blair Transmission Project includes building a new 345 kV transmission line following an existing transmission line corridor between the Alma Substation near the Mississippi River and the Tremval Substation near Blair, Wis. Dairyland is proposing two route options: a Northern Route and a Southern Route. The Northern Route is approximately 44 miles long, while the Southern Route is approximately 33 miles long. The project plans to use existing corridors to the extent possible. The Public Utilities Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) will choose the final route. 

In 2022, MISO identified a long-range transmission project that upgrades approximately 150 miles of transmission lines between southern Minnesota and Blair, Wis., to strengthen the regional electric grid. In Wisconsin, the project includes upgrading the existing line to 345 kV along an existing corridor between Alma and Blair, Wis.    

Project Benefits
The project will include several benefits for western Wisconsin:  

  • Improve reliability for local and regional customers.  

  • Increase resiliency of electric transmission infrastructure.  

  • Relieve congestion along the energy grid.  

  • Increase transmission capacity to support growing electricity needs.   

  • Bolster access to lower cost renewable energy as electricity generation evolves.

Current Project Status 
In June 2024, Dairyland applied for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to the PSCW. Wisconsin law requires applicants to obtain a CPCN before a transmission line can be built.  

The PSCW has begun the formal review process. This process typically takes 9-12 months. As part of the review process, the PSCW will hold public hearings near the project area to collect public feedback. We anticipate the hearings will take place in summer 2025. When the hearings are scheduled, a notice will be published in the local newspaper of record and included below on our website. Landowners along the project corridor will receive a notice.  

Regulatory Review Process 
The public can view the CPCN Application, and submit public comments to the Public Service Commission by following the steps below:  

  1. Go to  https://apps.psc.wi.gov/APPS/dockets/default.aspx  

  1. Go to “Case Management Systems (CMS)”  

  1. To view the docket, type In the Case #: “1515”, Select “CE”, Type in 103 

  1. Select the “documents” tab to view the application  

  1. To comment, select the “docket summary” tab and clack the link on “Now accepting public comments” 

OR  

Contact the Case Coordinators

Colton Bushey Email: colton.bushey@wisconsin.gov

The Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity is available for viewing here. 

Anticipated Schedule
2022  

  • Project identified by MISO  

2023  

  • Began route development process  

2024 – 2025  

  • Public and stakeholder outreach 

  • Preliminary engineering 

  • CPCN application submitted in July 2024

  • Land surveying and design 

  • Working with landowners to purchase easements 

  • Acquire additional permits as needed 

2026 – 2027  

  • Construction  

2028  

  • In-service  

  • Project area restoration  

*The schedule is subject to change.

Project At A Glance
County where facilities may be placed

Trempealeau, Wis.
Buffalo, Wis.
Distribution Cooperative Service Territories

Riverland
Line length

33 miles 345 kV
Voltage

161 kV & 345 kV
Estimated project cost $180 million
End points

Wisconsin: Tremval substation to Alma substation. A new double circuit 161/345 kV transmission line from Alma to the Tremval substation just outside of Blair, Wis. 

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