New Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line is Helping to Meet Growing Energy Needs in the Midwest
Madison, WI, November 20, 2024 – Today, the American Clean Power (ACP) and Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) celebrated the newly powered Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line, which was built by co-owners ITC Midwest, ATC, and Dairyland Power Cooperative. The 102-mile transmission line is improving the reliability and flexibility of the region's transmission system by delivering lower-cost renewable energy to millions of homes and businesses across Wisconsin and Iowa.
Expanding Wisconsin's transmission capacity is imperative to the growth of the state's clean energy economy. Wisconsin's wind, solar and storage sectors provide over 6% of the state's electricity and are powered by $7 billion in private sector investments to date. By 2030, the state is expected to add an additional 6,900 MW of utility-scale solar, 1,400 MW of wind power, and 1,300 MW of battery storage, representing a 263% increase in total clean power capacity.
"Transmission projects are a vital component to the foundation of the clean energy future, providing the backbone to distribute critically needed energy to cities and towns across the nation," said Eric Beightel, Permitting Council Executive Director. "The Cardinal-Hickory Creek project will unlock renewable energy projects across the region and serves as a reminder of what is possible when we effectively coordinate our processes and break down silos to work across agencies to deliver these essential projects. I am pleased that the core components of the FAST-41 program—transparency, predictability and accountability—helped this project advance to construction and I am hopeful that we'll have many more projects follow its lead."
"The Cardinal-Hickory Creek power line is immensely important for grid reliability and, with the ability to support 24 gigawatts of new renewable energy facilities, the clean energy transition," said Ben Porath, Dairyland Power Cooperative Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "The line brings additional environmental benefits by adding highly desirable land and reducing the transmission infrastructure within the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge."
"The Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line is providing a vital pathway to help ensure the lower-cost, renewable energy that communities in Wisconsin, Iowa and across the Upper Midwest are seeking is available and affordable by increasing capacity and reducing congestion on the transmission grid," said Krista Tanner, President of ITC Holdings Corp. "We are grateful to the landowners, federal agency officials, and local leaders across the region who worked with us to make this critical energy infrastructure project a reality."
"The completion of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line is an important milestone for the people of Wisconsin and Iowa" said Frank Macchiarola, ACP Chief Policy Officer. "As energy demand continues to rise, we need to build more transmission. It currently takes an average of 7.5 years for a transmission project to get the required permits. Permits for the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line took 13 years to obtain. That is way too long. This project is an example of why this country needs permitting reform, now. And we will continue to fight for the reforms necessary to help meet America's energy needs today and tomorrow."
"It's wonderful to see Cardinal-Hickory Creek — the last MISO Multi-Value Project — cross the finish line. The reliability, cost savings for consumers, and delivery of renewable energy are among the many benefits this line offers," said Clean Grid Alliance Executive Director Beth Soholt. "Yet, a lot has changed in the last decade. Our economy is becoming more electrified. More people want electric vehicles. More household appliances are electric, and our phones and countless other gadgets require charging. Plus, there is new large load growth coming from data centers, manufacturing plants, and A.I. It is now undeniable that more transmission is needed to serve the growing demand for energy in our economy and to ensure the reliability we all demand," said Soholt.
"The lack of a predictable permitting for projects is the enemy of progress, and this uncertainty is keeping hundreds of billions in new U.S. investments in our electricity grid on the sidelines," said Alex Herrgott, Permitting Institute President & CEO. "Companies like ITC, ATC, and Dairyland are essential for building next-generation grid reliability; they are not asking for weakened environmental protections or guaranteed outcomes, only for decisions to be made in a reasonable timeframe. Permitting is not a Republican or Democratic issue—we can do better—and Cardinal-Hickory Creek is a model for a path forward as I work closely with the Trump Administration."
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For questions, please contact Rob Schulberg rschulberg@cleanpower.org
