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ATC Demonstrates Environmental Leadership and Commitment; ATC is first utility in Wisconsin to apply for new State of Wisconsin Green Tier Program

ATC Demonstrates Environmental Leadership and Commitment; ATC is first utility in Wisconsin to apply for new State of Wisconsin Green Tier Program

Published 12-03-04

Submitted by American Transmission Company

MADISON, Wis. - American Transmission Company is the first utility to apply for Wisconsin's Green Tier program for exceptional environmental performance. ATC is among the first three companies in Wisconsin to apply for acceptance into the program, which was first instituted in 2004. Wisconsin's Green Tier is the first and only legislatively-approved program in the country that seeks to improve environmental protection through performance-based oversight.

The Green Tier program, administered by the state Department of Natural Resources, admits companies whose environmental practices go above and beyond what is required by state law. The program strives to encourage responsible environmental decision-making and protect and restore natural resources.

"Environmental protection and restoration makes good sense in the utility business," said Mark Williamson, Executive Vice President of Major Projects. "As a transmission utility with 8,900 miles of lines, we are in a strong position to be good environmental stewards in Wisconsin. Enhancing the state's electric system using environmentally responsible practices is a win-win for citizens in this state."

As part of the program ATC has committed to establishing an environmental stewardship fund that would be administered by the Natural Resources Foundation. If accepted, the fund will be dedicated to supporting State Natural Areas and grant decisions would be made by the NRF. ATC will contribute a portion of its construction budget for larger projects to the fund. The funding level has yet to be established.

To be admitted, companies must demonstrate a strong environmental compliance record, implement a formal system for including environmental issues in business decision-making, participate in external oversight of environmental performance, and show continual, measured improvement. ATC's responsibilities and environmental impact occur most often within its construction projects, which is where ATC has focused much of its environmental efforts.

"Balancing our responsibility to improve electric system reliability with our environmental responsibilities in construction makes environmental leadership essential to us and our customers, said Rita Hayen, Manager of Environmental Projects. "We are developing ways to ensure that construction practices have proper environmental measures--avoidance, protection, and restoration--in place so that they can move forward without unnecessary delay."

ATC's environmental performance will be subject to internal audits and an external appraisal process to ensure that environmental objectives are met. A decision by the DNR on ATC's Green Tier application is expected in the first half of 2005.

ATC is committed to environmental leadership in all aspects of its business and seeks to demonstrate this commitment through compliance, environmental stewardship, employee involvement, education and training, partnerships and appraisal. ATC's statement of environmental commitment can be found on its Web site at http://www.atcllc.com/about_environment_commitment.shtml.

ATC plans, constructs, operates, maintains and will expand its transmission facilities to provide adequate and reliable transmission of power. ATC provides nondiscriminatory service to all customers, supporting effective competition in energy markets without favoring any market participant. A member of the Midwest ISO regional transmission organization, ATC owns more than 8,900 miles of transmission lines with a total investment in facilities of approximately $1 billion in portions of Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois. For more information, visit our Web site at www.atcllc.com.

American Transmission Company

American Transmission Company

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