ATC 10-Year Assessment Includes $3.4 Billion in Projects; Estimate Includes New Transmission, System Upgrades And Maintenance.

WAUKESHA, Wis. -- American Transmission Co.'s most recent assessment of the electric transmission system indicates the potential for $3.4 billion in work over the next 10 years to address increasing demands on an already-strained system as well as maintenance of the existing facilities.

Of the $3.4 billion estimate, $2.4 billion is for transmission projects outlined in the report, while $1 billion is for asset renewal, or maintenance, of existing facilities.

"This assessment represents a snapshot at this point in time of our view of the electric transmission system's needs," said Don Morrow, director of system planning and protection at ATC. "We continually analyze and assess the system for changes in the various factors affecting our work. Those factors include such things as business development, employment trends, proposed new generation and projected growth in electricity usage."

Several areas within the system are earmarked for major projects over the next 10 years, including a series of projects in Dane County estimated at $200 million to $270 million as well as projects in Central Wisconsin totaling roughly $200 million to $250 million. The Arrowhead-Weston transmission line project, which represents a $420 million investment in the system, is currently under construction.

Since ATC began operations on Jan. 1, 2001, the company has invested $481 million in the transmission system it owns and operates in portions of Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This includes upgrading more than 565 miles of existing transmission lines, improving 79 substations and building 75 miles of new lines.

The new assessment also includes information regarding the company's interest in adding a new interstate transmission line to provide customers with greater access to low-cost energy sources as well as improved ability to transfer electricity from where it's generated to where it's needed. Known as the Access Initiative, this effort analyzes five different options for a new interstate line. ATC recently filed this information with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin as part of the Commission's open docket on this matter.

The complete assessment is in electronic form at www.atc10yearplan.com.

ATC owns, plans, constructs, operates, maintains and will expand its transmission facilities to provide adequate and reliable transmission of power. ATC provides nondiscriminatory service to all customers, supporting effective competition in energy markets without favoring any market participant. A member of the Midwest ISO, ATC owns approximately 8,900 miles of transmission lines and 460 substations with a total investment of $1.3 billion in facilities in portions of Wisconsin, Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Illinois. For more information, visit our Web site at www.atcllc.com.