Feb. 20--A final environmental impact statement has been issued and public hearings are scheduled next month in Madison on the proposed high-voltage electricity transmission line between Rockdale and Middleton in Dane County.

The 345-kilovolt line proposed by American Transmission Co. would run between 32 and 47 miles and could cost between $214 million and $244 million, depending on the route. The cost would be higher if portions of the line are built underground.

The EIS, issued this week by the state Public Service Commission and the Department of Natural Resources, examines four proposed routes for the line in terms of their environmental and social impact.

Building the line would help the electrical grid keep pace with Dane County growth as well as preventing thermal overloads during peak use periods, when a lot of the county's power is imported, the EIS said.

The final EIS can be read online at psc.wi.gov by clicking on Electronic Regulatory Filing System and entering docket number 137-CE-147.

The hearings will be held at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on March 24 and 25 in the Amnicon Falls Hearing Room in the PSC building at 610 N. Whitney Way.

Issues for discussion at the hearings include whether the line will supply an adequate supply of electricity, whether it will benefit electricity customers, the reasonable project cost and whether it should be built underground or be subject to specific design requirements.

Besides oral testimony, written comments also may be submitted at the hearing or through April 3 by fax to 608-266-3957 or by mail to Docket 137-CE-147, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, P.O. Box 7854, Madison, WI 53707-7854.

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