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News Release

Alliant Energy Power Wisconsin project completed near Mattoon

Company invests over a million dollars in Deer Trail Substation rebuild to increase reliability

Mattoon, Wis. – May 21, 2012 – Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), an Alliant Energy company, has completed another Power Wisconsin Project. The project involved upgrading the Deer Trail Substation, which will significantly improve the reliability of electric service for residents and businesses in the Mattoon area. The Deer Trail Substation is located just south of Mattoon.

Alliant Energy replaced the transformer, circuit breaker, circuit switcher and installed a new communications pole and antenna at the Deer Trail Substation. The transformer and circuit breaker were both over fifty years old and the circuit switcher was over thirty years old. The new communications pole and antenna will provide Alliant Energy with more accurate and timely information on the condition of the substation, in the event of a power outage or equipment failure. The company’s total investment in the Deer Trail Substation upgrade was $1.04 million.

“The Deer Trail Substation has performed well for several decades but it was simply time to upgrade much of the equipment with newer technology,” said Greg Ardrey, Alliant Energy’s Manager of Project Management - Substations. “Now that we have completed upgrading the station, we expect it to be even more reliable and to dependably serve our customers in the Mattoon area for many years to come.”

Alliant Energy’s 2012 Power Wisconsin Plan includes approximately $60 million of planned investments this year in upgrading overhead and underground electric lines, electric substations and natural gas infrastructure. Power Wisconsin’s goal is to improve system reliability, reduce outages, and provide more reliable power to Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin customers.

 

Media Contact: Scott Reigstad, (608) 458-3145