A Guide to Abbreviations and Acronyms
AES: Alternatives Evaluation Study
Dairyland Power Cooperative submitted an AES to the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) in July of 2016 as part of its Cardinal-Hickory Creek loan application process. RUS is a part of USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/UWP-AlternativeEvaluationStudyJuly2016.pdf
ATC: American Transmission Company
A privately-owned company, one of three who propose to build the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line. Its ownership includes utilities, municipalities, municipal electric companies, and electric cooperatives from Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. Wisconsin Power & Light and Madison Gas & Electric are included in this group.
CEQ: Council on Environmental Quality
“The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) coordinates Federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives. CEQ was established within the Executive Office of the President by Congress as part of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and additional responsibilities were provided by the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970.” whitehouse.gov The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for the Cardinal Hickory line is required to be in accordance with NEPA and CEQ rules.
CHC: Cardinal-Hickory Creek
The name given to the 345 kilovolt transmission line project proposed to be built by American Transmission Company (ATC), ITC Midwest, and Dairyland Power Cooperative. It would run 125 miles from Dubuque County, Iowa, to the Cardinal substation in Middleton, Dane County, Wisconsin.
CPCN: Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
In general, a type of regulatory compliance certification for public service industries. Wisconsin Public Service Commission states: “An electric generation project of 100 megawatts (MW) or greater and many power lines over 100 kilovolts (kV) require a CPCN from the Commission. Wis. Stats. § 196.491 describes the procedures related to the issuance of a CPCN. The general application requirements for the CPCN are described in Wis. Admin. Code ch. PSC 111.” The Cardinal-Hickory Creek project must receive a CPCN from Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission in order to be able to proceed with construction.
DALC: Driftless Area Land Conservancy
is a land trust organization based in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Its purpose is “to maintain and enhance the health, diversity and beauty of Southwest Wisconsin’s natural and agricultural landscape through permanent land protection and restoration, and improve people’s lives by connecting them to the land and to each other.” driftlessconservancy.org DALC opposes construction of the transmission lines since they will negatively impact the qualities they are mandated to preserve. To help devise a strategy to prevent construction of the lines they have retained the services of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, hired a community organizer, and are working closely with Driftless Defenders.
DD: Driftless Defenders
“Driftless Defenders is a grassroots coalition of citizens dedicated to preventing the construction of high-voltage transmission lines through the geologically unique Driftless Area of Wisconsin.” driftlessdefenders.com The group was formed in May 2016 by neighbors in the Pleasant Ridge area of Dodgeville Township and rapidly expanded to include people from many townships. Through their outreach and media efforts they are informing the public about the proposed transmission lines and explaining the reasons for their opposition. They are working closely with Driftless Area Land Conservancy (DALC).
DG: Distributed generation
refers to power generation on-site, rather than centrally. In many instances, this can reduce the cost, complexity, interdependencies, and inefficiencies that often accompany transmission and distribution. Examples of DG include wind turbines, geothermal energy production, solar systems (photovoltaic and combustion), and some hydro-thermal plants.
DNR: Department of Natural Resources
Many states have Departments of Natural Resources. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has the following mission: “To protect and enhance our natural resources: our air, land and water; our wildlife, fish and forests and the ecosystems that sustain all life. To provide a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities. To ensure the right of all people to use and enjoy these resources in their work and leisure. To work with people to understand each other’s views and to carry out the public will. And in this partnership consider the future and generations to follow.” dnr.wi.gov
DPC: Dairyland Power Cooperative
is a generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Lacrosse, WI. It is one of the three companies proposing to build the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line.
DSM: Demand-side management, same as Demand side response
“provides an opportunity for consumers to play a significant role in the operation of the electric grid by reducing or shifting their electricity usage during peak periods in response to time-based rates or other forms of financial incentives.”
https://energy.gov/oe/services/technology-development/smart-grid/demand-response
DSR: Demand side response, same as Demand side management
“provides an opportunity for consumers to play a significant role in the operation of the electric grid by reducing or shifting their electricity usage during peak periods in response to time-based rates or other forms of financial incentives.”
https://energy.gov/oe/services/technology-development/smart-grid/demand-response
EIS: Environmental Impact Statement
According to DALC, an “EIS must rigorously explore and objectively evaluate all reasonable alternatives, including no-build and robust non-transmission alternatives.” What this means is that an EIS should examine the positive and negative impacts of all reasonable alternatives on the environment, property values, business income, tourism, cultural assets, and personal and animal health. http://driftlessconservancy.org/2017/01/12/dalc-submits-comments-rural-utilities-service/
ELPC: Environmental Law and Policy Center
“is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders. We develop and lead successful strategic advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural resources.” elpc.org ELPC, under the leadership of executive director and attorney Howard Learner, has been retained by Driftless Area Land Conservancy (DALC) to guide them in their opposition to the transmission lines.”
EMF: Electromagnetic Field
The term electromagnetic field refers to the electric and/or magnetic fields created wherever electric power is being used. Examples of everyday sources of electric and magnetic fields in the home are appliances, televisions, computers, and standard electrical wiring. EMFs emitted by outdoor transmission lines are typically higher than those emitted by home sources or appliances because their voltage is higher.
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
A United States agency whose “mission is to protect human health and the environment.” epa.gov
FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
“is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. . . “ ferc.gov Although it was put in place by Congress, its operations are largely autonomous and paid for entirely by annual charges and filing fees levied on the industries it regulates. FERC is the agency that establishes the very profitable guaranteed rates-of-return for utility capital investments, thereby creating strong profit incentives and effectively protecting transmission companies and their shareholders from financial risk. https://www.ferc.gov/about/strat-docs/2016/FY16-final.pdf
https://www.ferc.gov/industries/electric/indus-act/trans-invest.asp
ITC: Midwest
One of three companies who propose to build the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line. They operate more than 6,600 circuit miles of transmission lines in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri.
kV (Also written kv and KV): kilovolt
A unit of electrical potential equal to 1000 volts. The proposed Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line is 345 kV.
MG&E: Madison Gas and Electric
Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) generates and distributes electricity to 146,000 customers in Dane County and purchases and distributes natural gas to 152,000 customers in seven south-central and western Wisconsin counties. They are part-owner of American Transmission Company (ATC) along with other utilities, municipalities, municipal electric companies, and electric cooperatives from Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois
MISO: Midcontinent Independent System Operator
“MISO is an essential link in the safe, cost-effective delivery of electric power across much of North America. We are committed to reliability, the nondiscriminatory operation of the bulk power transmission system, and to collaborating on creating cost-effective and innovative solutions for our changing industry.” misoenergy.org A regional transmission planning organization whose area covers much of the Midwest and Great Plains. MISO’s membership list includes ATC, Dairyland Power Cooperative, ITC Midwest, Alliant Energy, Madison Gas & Electric, and Wisconsin Electric Power Co.
MRPHA: Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area
“is a 95,000+ acre grassland landscape in Dane and Iowa counties in southwest Wisconsin. The area provides habitat for 14 rare and declining grassland bird species and contains more than 60 prairie remnants, representing one of the highest concentrations of native grasslands in the Midwest. The agricultural history of the area has helped keep the landscape much as it was when the first settlers saw it and has made it possible for plants and animals like grassland birds, which have disappeared in more developed parts of the Midwest, to survive.
The MRPHA has been identified as the highest priority for landscape-scale grassland protection and management in Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and represents one of the best opportunities in the Midwest to protect prairie remnants and area sensitive species, such as grassland birds.” nature.org
One of the proposed transmission line corridors would cut through the northern edge of MRPHA.
MVP: Multi-Value Project
MVP refers to the comprehensive transmission expansion plans developed by MISO. In 2011, MISO established a “Multi-Value Project” (“MVP”) portfolio that included 17 lines, the last of which proposed to be built being the Cardinal-Hickory Creek line.
NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act
“The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law on January 1, 1970. NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions.” epa.gov Because the Rural Utilities Service’s (RUS) proposed loan to Dairyland Power Cooperative for the Cardinal-Hickory Creek line would be a federal action, it is subject to NEPA review.
NERC: North American Electric Reliability Corporation
“is a not-for-profit international regulatory authority whose mission is to assure the reliability and security of the bulk power system in North America…” nerc.com
PSC: Public Service Commission
is a regulatory agency for energy, telecommunications, gas, and water public utilities. The mission of Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission is to “Oversee and facilitate the efficient and fair provision of quality utility services in Wisconsin. . . we consider and balance diverse perspectives and we endeavor to protect the environment, and the public interest and the public health and welfare.” psc.wi.gov Wisconsin’s PSC is made up of three full-time commissioners appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Wisconsin Senate. The Cardinal-Hickory Creek line cannot be built without the approval of Wisconsin’s PSC.
RENEW Wisconsin
“leads and accelerates the transformation to Wisconsin’s renewable energy future through advocacy, education, and collaboration.” renewwisconsin.org
RMI: Rocky Mountain Institute
is an independent, non-partisan nonprofit whose mission is to “drive the efficient and restorative use of resources.” rmi.org In its recent book, Reinventing Fire: Bold Business Solutions for the New Energy Era, RMI presents four achievable scenarios (Maintain, Migrate, Renew, and Transform) for moving forward with electricity generation, delivery, and consumption over the next 40 years.
RPS: Renewable Portfolio Standards
“A renewable portfolio standard (RPS) is a regulatory mandate to increase production of energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass and other alternatives to fossil and nuclear electric generation. It’s also known as a renewable electricity standard.” nrel.gov Wisconsin requires each of its electric providers to meet a unique RPS. For example, the 2015 RPS for Madison Gas & Electric stipulates that at least 7.73% of the electricity it sells to its retail customers come from renewable resources. http://psc.wi.gov/renewables/rpsCompliance.htm
RTS: Regional Transmission Service
The amount utility customers pay for regional transmission lines. The State of Wisconsin does not require the RTS fee to be shown on utility bills. The State of Iowa does require the RTS to be itemized, and it presently accounts for 19% of annual residential electricity bills.
RUS: Rural Utilities Services
A division of USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), it “administers programs that provide much-needed infrastructure or infrastructure improvements to rural communities. These include water and waste treatment, electric power and telecommunications services. All of these services play a critical role in helping to expand economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for rural residents.”“ rd.usda.gov Part of its mission requires that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be conducted prior to funding projects. In the case of transmission lines, the “EIS must rigorously explore and objectively evaluate all reasonable alternatives, including no-build and robust non-transmission alternatives.” http://driftlessconservancy.org/2017/01/12/dalc-submits-comments-rural-utilities-service/
S.O.U.L. of Wisconsin (Save Our Unique Lands)
“is a non-profit grassroots organization whose mission is to promote efficient and responsible management of electrical power for the public good, while protecting the natural, social and economic environments and citizens of Wisconsin.” soulwisconsin.org
SWCA: Environmental Consultants
RUS (Rural Utilities Services) has hired SWCA to write an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) for the Cardinal-Creek transmission line. SWCA held open houses in the area in November and December, and the public was invited to submit comments up until January 6, 2017. After SWCA prepares a draft EIS, the public will have an opportunity to comment on it.
On its website, SWCA advertises its services to prospective clients as follows:
“…We’re able to rapidly pool resources in order to serve clients from our main business lines, including energy generation, oil and gas, mining, federal land management, Department of Defense, transmission, and transportation.” http://www.swca.com/index.php/meet-swca/who-we-are
“SWCA provides complete environmental services to support all types of electric transmission projects, from routing, siting, and permitting new lines to re-build and capacity-increase projects. Faced with issues such as multi-state line crossings, the complex mix of public and private land ownership for line siting, and the visual impact of lines for communities, transmission project owners can benefit from SWCA’s proficiency with federal regulations, understanding of the legal intricacies of each state, and ability to address transmission-related environmental impacts.” http://www.swca.com/index.php/clients/industry-private/transmission
TELIS: Transparent Electrical Line Impact Studies
The TELIS project is “a series of pioneer research studies examining the impact of high voltage overhead electrical transmission lines on property values.” concernedcitizensmontana.net It is an important independent attempt to create transparency in the valuation process of properties taken by power lines. The goal is to provide a complete report on how data are selected and analyzed.
USDA: United States Department of Agriculture
One of their divisions is RUS (Rural Utilities Services) from whom Dairyland Power Cooperative has applied for a loan or grant to fund its ownership interest in the Cardinal-Hickory Creek line.
USF&WS: United States Fish and Wildlife Service
“The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.” Their motto is “Conserving the nature of America.” fws.gov
WDNR: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
It’s mission is “To protect and enhance our natural resources: our air, land and water; our wildlife, fish and forests and the ecosystems that sustain all life. To provide a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities. To ensure the right of all people to use and enjoy these resources in their work and leisure. To work with people to understand each other’s views and to carry out the public will. And in this partnership consider the future and generations to follow.” dnr.wi.gov
WP&L: Wisconsin Power and Light Co.
is one of two utility subsidiaries of Alliant Energy. WP&L is part-owner of American Transmission Company (ATC) along with other utilities, municipalities, municipal electric companies, and electric cooperatives from Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois
WPSC: The Wisconsin Public Service Commission
is a state regulatory agency for energy, telecommunications, gas, and water public utilities. WPSC is made up of three full-time commissioners appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Wisconsin Senate. The Cardinal-Hickory Creek line cannot be built without the approval of Wisconsin’s PSC.