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 (PSC) 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:
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Improve reliability for local and regional customers.
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Increase resiliency of electric transmission infrastructure.
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Relieve congestion along the energy grid.
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Increase transmission capacity to support growing electricity needs.
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Bolster access to lower cost renewable energy as electricity generation evolves.
Routing Process
The route development process is a multi-step analysis that considers constraints, opportunities and alternatives that aim to minimize impacts to humans and the environment. Routes are developed considering many factors.
Participation and gathering feedback from the public, landowners, stakeholders, and the local community is a critical component of the route development process.
The information gathered during the route development process will be considered by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) when we submit our application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). The CPCN allows the project to proceed.
Anticipated Schedule
2022
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Project identified by MISO
2023
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Began route development process
2024 – 2025
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Public and stakeholder outreach
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Preliminary engineering
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CPCN application submitted in July 2024
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Land surveying and design
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Working with landowners to purchase easements
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Acquire additional permits as needed
2026 – 2027
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Construction
2028
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In-service
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Project area restoration
*The schedule is subject to change.
Project At A Glance |
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|---|---|
| County where facilities may be placed |
Trempealeau, Wis. |
| Distribution Cooperative Service Territories |
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| 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. |
