Transmission planning-a new approach

Summary form only given. American Transmission Company (ATC) owns, plans, maintains, and operates transmission assets in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois. ATC is a transmission-only company-it does not own generation or distribution assets, and it operates independently of all users of the transmission system. ATC is a transmission owner within the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO). ATC´s two major objectives are to ensure reliable operation of its transmission system and to provide an adequate infrastructure to meet the needs of all customers. ATC began operations, and its new approach to transmission planning, on January 1, 2001. The fundamental underpinnings of ATC´s approach to transmission planning are customer need and public input. ATC intends to propose transmission options to resolve customer needs as expressed through load growth forecasts, new load interconnection requests, long term transmission service requests, generation interconnection requests, need for improved operational reliability, need for resolution of local and regional congestion, need for replacement of old facilities, need for increased operational efficiency, and so on. To facilitate acceptance and implementation of any proposed plans, ATC believes the public, including all stakeholders, must be invited to participate in an open, iterative, and interactive public planning process.