Wisconsin's transmission system, overall, is stressed by a growing volume of power purchases, Delgado said, as utilities around the nation clamor to buy the least expensive power, even if it means getting it from halfway across the country. First, a Madison coalition representing small utilities and business, environmental and consumer groups. A PSC decision is expected late this summer. It's not just Wisconsin's transmission system that comes close to stumbling, though. The task force was created to look into power shortages and price jumps in California.
Inadequate transmission is one reason for California's power shortages.
New York City, which depends on power from other parts of the state, has similar problems and experts say it, too, may face blackouts this summer. Wisconsin and New York are part of a 35-state grid serving all but the Western states and Texas. And up to 20 percent of the electricity Wisconsin uses is imported from other states. So if areas such as New York run short and pull supplies from utilities in the Midwest, Wisconsin's share of power could be curtailed, Madison Gas and Electric Co. spokesman Steve Kraus said. In fact, as a result of the state's strained transmission system, Wisconsin residents and businesses should not expect to get through a hot summer without, at least, calls to reduce their power use voluntarily, Kraus said.