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  • Home
  • Initiatives
    • Northern Lights Solar Project
    • Solar Shares Wisconsin
    • Bayfield County Microgrid Project
    • Electrifying Everything >
      • Air-sourced Heat Pumps & Energy Audits
      • Electrifying Everything Resource Page
    • Bad River Tribe
    • Bayfield Electric Cooperative
    • Cheq Bay Renewables Community Solar Project
    • Energy Tracking
    • ELECTRIC VEHICLES
    • Past Projects >
      • The BRICK and New Day go solar
      • Solar Energy Tour
      • Drummond School District
      • Commercial Solar Projects
      • Solar Group Buy
      • Community Solar
  • Resources
    • FAQs
    • Policy & Incentives
    • Local Installers and PV Service
    • Templates
    • Steps to Solar >
      • Analyze Usage & Efficiencies
      • System Sizing & Cost
      • Evaluate Options
    • Financing
    • What We're Reading (and Watching)
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Transmission Line Alternative

 Xcel Energy is proposing adding a second 3.4-5kV line from the Ashland area to Bayfield. Xcel feels this $26 million project is needed to handle peak loads during busy summer months and to prevent outages if the existing line goes out. Rather than using their existing route, they are proposing running a new route with 50' of cleared right-of-ways along Terwilliger, Ondossagon, Wannebo, Church Corner, S Maple Hill, County C, Little Sioux, Jammer Hill, and Star Route. 

Local energy engineer, Robert Owen, has proposed an alternative approach. CBR supports this alternative approach and is working with local governing bodies to understand that alternatives exist. Not only is the alternative more cost-effective, it improves overall reliability and reduces the dependence on fossil fuels. 

The alternative approach suggested by Robert Owen consists of the following:
1. A 34.5-kv submarine cable from Ashland to Washburn, undergrounded on land at each end;
2. A 5 MW solar-plus-battery-storage facility near Bayfield; 
3. Reconstruction of old segments of the existing 34.5-kV line from Iron River to Bayfield; and
4. Connection of the 17 MVA spare 115/34.5-kV transformer at Iron River in lieu of the small transformer now used there.

Download an Executive Summary of the proposal or a detailed explanation. 

Xcel's website includes additional information about their transmission line proposal. 


A local citizen group has formed a study group with members in each of the affected townships and has created a website which can be viewed here.  The website will keep you informed about upcoming meetings, news, events, give you an opportunity for public comment, and has resources so you can be an informed citizen.

 


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