Transco law opens the door to munis and co-ops.
As the electric industry awaits a final rule from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on regional transmission organizations, Wisconsin has moved to create its own stand-alone transmission company, or transco.
In the process, Wisconsin will allow grid-dependent utilities to get a piece of the action.
The Legislation. On Oct. 27, Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson signed Assembly Bill 133, an omnibus budget bill that incorporated original Assembly Bill 389. AB 389, or "Reliability 2000," is a comprehensive legislative package that, among other things, will restructure the state's electric grid. The new law, introduced in June, will consolidate ownership, operation and maintenance functions of four transmission owners in eastern Wisconsin. Grid expansion is encouraged, as the law allows the governor to offer incentives to local communities where new lines are planned.