Section 111.55. CPCN applications for high-voltage transmission lines.

  A CPCN application for a high-voltage transmission line is not complete until the applicant has filed all of the following information with the commission:

(1)   Need. The need for the proposed project, including all planning criteria, assumptions, historical outage data, stability, and power-flow studies that address need.

(2)   Design. The physical design characteristics, including structure type, design span length, conductor size and type, foundation type, operating voltage, and feasibility of future increases in operating voltage.

(3)   Basis for design selection. The basis for selection of physical design characteristics.

(4)   EMF levels. The estimated magnetic field levels.

(5)   Substation design. The substation design or modifications to existing substations.

(6)   Owners and investors. The names and addresses of owners and investors, and percent of ownership.

(7)   Construction schedule and approvals. The construction schedule and required regulatory approvals.

(8)   Additional information. Any additional information the commission may request, including information necessary for it to make the determinations listed in s. 196.491 (3) (d) , Stats., or to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under s. 1.11 , Stats.

(9)   Tariff filings. Whether an open-access tariff has been filed with the FERC.

(10)   Proposed routes. Except as otherwise submitted under this section, proposed routes and the pertinent factors considered in choosing them, including engineering, economic, safety, reliability and environmental considerations. All of the following information shall be filed for each of the proposed routes:

(a) Estimated construction cost and assumptions.

(b) Geology.

(c) Topography.

(d) General soil associations.

(e) Water resources, including wetlands, lakes, rivers, and streams.

(f) Vegetative cover, including wildlife habitat.

(g) Endangered, threatened, and special concern species and communities.

(h) Existing and proposed land uses along the routes.

(i) Land in public ownership.

(j) Areas of residential concentration.

(k) Active mines and quarries.

(L) Communication towers, VHF omnidirectional range plus tactical air navigation (VORTAC) stations, and airports.

(m) Wild rivers, scenic rivers, and scenic roads.

(n) Historical and archeological sites.

(o) Designated natural areas.

(p) Opportunities for corridor sharing.

(q) Information demonstrating how the transmission line siting priorities in s. 1.12 (6) , Stats., were considered.

Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534 , eff. 7-1-00; CR 07-044 : am. (10) (intro.), cr. (10) (q) Register May 2008 No. 629 , eff. 6-1-08.