Approval of Regional Transmission Buildout in Wisconsin Will Bring Significant Economic Benefits and Grid Reliability
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2025
St. Paul, Minnesota – During the open meeting of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin yesterday, the Commission approved two major transmission lines in Wisconsin that will collectively provide Wisconsinites with between $648.2 and $910.9 million in net economic benefits over the next fifty years. Limitations in regional transmission are a significant barrier to system reliability, flexibility, and efficiency. The projects will serve to resolve a number of these limitations and allow for future growth.
"CGA is pleased that states like Wisconsin are stepping up to ensure this badly needed infrastructure can get built in a timely manner," said Elizabeth Wheeler, Senior Counsel and Director of Regulatory Advocacy at CGA. "We needed this infrastructure yesterday, and it can't be overstated how important these projects are to ensure that we have a stable system that can simultaneously support the goals of affordability and growth."
The projects, known as the Grid Forward Central Wisconsin Project and the Western Wisconsin Transmission Connection Project will additionally provide significant benefits to the electricity system by reducing thermal loadings, improving system reliability and flexibility, facilitating the full interconnection of over 53 GW of new generation, and allowing access to a competitive supply of energy. Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) participated in the proceeding to support the lines, and we celebrate yesterday's decision by the Commission.
During his remarks at the open meeting, Commissioner Hawkins noted that the Grid Forward Project, which spans 7 counties and 375 miles through Central Wisconsin, is one of the largest projects that the Wisconsin Commission has ever approved.
The project is a part of a larger portfolio approved by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) in July, 2022. The portfolio, called Long-Range Transmission Plan (LRTP) Tranche 1, consists of eighteen projects that span the Upper Midwest and will provide $37 billion in regional economic benefits.
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About Clean Grid Alliance
Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) is transforming and strengthening the power grid across the Midwest. CGA is a team of experts in clean energy development, engineering, economics, policy, and communications advancing solutions that ensure people have clean, low-cost energy when and where they need it. Established in 2001, CGA brings together a coalition of over 80 industry partners and non-profit organizations to realize a shared vision of delivering an affordable, reliable energy future for the Midwest. CGA's leadership has changed the energy landscape, leading to hundreds of successful wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects. The collective work across our industry is fueling more than $450 million in economic benefits for local and state economies in 2025 and now employs hundreds of thousands across the Midwest. CGA is leading the charge for innovation in the rapidly evolving Midwest energy landscape, driving real economic growth through energy abundance.
