Project Status: PLANNING
Strategic Priority: Reliability 
Project Contact: 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 proposed two route options and the Public Utilities Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) selected the southern route, spanning approximately 34 miles. 

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), which was approved by the PSCW in February 2026. The PSCW is expected to provide the written order for the CPCN Route Permit no later than 3/12/26.

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

34 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. 

​