1/30/2014

ATC Tree Planting Program grant helps add fruit trees to DeForest

We’re happy to read that the Village of DeForest, Wis., plans to help add to Dane County’s burgeoning edible landscape with apple and pear trees at Liberty Land Park.

In honor of the home of the Norskies, here are a few Nordic-inspired apple and pear desserts:

Stetke epler (fried apples)

Pear coffee cake
The Capital Times also reports that remaining grant money will be used to offer shade for the Fidos and Spots of the world at a local dog park.

Read more about our Tree Planting Program and how it's helping local communities become more beautiful and sustainable.

1/28/2014

An Idol connection: ATC employees’ son takes a step toward the big time


Joe Janowicz headshot
There’s a bit of a buzz going around American Transmission Co.’s De Pere, Wis., office that has nothing to do with the electric grid. ATC employees, Joe and Maria Janowicz, are the proud parents of talented singer/actor Jack Janowicz, who may just make it to the big stage at Hollywood Week on American Idol.

“It’s been a wild ride,” said Joe. “We were driving in the car one day when Jack said, ‘hey, I got an email from Idol. I made the cut!’” The family hadn’t known that Jack sent a video audition, let alone that it was good enough to avoid the cattle call and proceed to audition directly in front of the show’s executive producers in Omaha, Neb. After getting through two rounds with the producers, it was on to the celebrity judges.

Joe says Jack has displayed an unexpected talent for the arts all his life.

“We have videos of him dancing in-beat to music on the radio while wearing his diaper. He’s been singing as long as he could talk,” said Joe. “I’m not sure where he got it from, but we do know he is our kid. My dad likes to joke he had talent as a kid.”

Maria says it’s an experience he’ll never forget, topped off with high praise from star and Idol judge Jennifer Lopez. “When JLo met Jack, she told him some people don’t look the way they sound, but that Jack sounds exactly the way he looks. She said, ‘You have the whole package and I like it,’ while making a little box with her fingers. I told Jack if he ever has a bad day, JLo’s feedback should bring a smile to his face!”

While he can’t reveal his status on the show, fans online are buzzing with rave reviews of Jack’s singing and charisma, showcased on his YouTube channel. The Omaha auditions are scheduled to air Thursday, Jan. 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. We’ll be rooting for a powerful performance from Jack.

1/23/2014

Michigan PSC approves Holmes-Old Mead Road project

The Michigan Public Service Commission today granted a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a 138-kilovolt transmission line from the Holmes Substation in Menominee County to the Old Mead Substation in Delta County. This is ATC's first CPCN application and approval in Michigan.

In issuing its order, the MPSC selected ATC’s proposed route. The 58-mile line will make maximum use of co-location opportunities, placing the new facilities on existing transmission line or other rights-of-way. The western half will share a corridor with an existing transmission line; the eastern half will share an abandoned railroad corridor currently owned by the Michigan Department of Transportation and managed by the Department of Natural Resources. In exchange for sharing the corridor, ATC proposes to develop a 10-foot-wide multi-purpose recreational trail.

“The new transmission line is intended to improve electric reliability significantly in the Upper Peninsula,” said MPSC Chairman John D. Quackenbush. “The settlement agreement approved today enabled the MPSC to decide this case nine months in advance of the one-year statutory deadline, enhancing ATC’s ability to bring needed improvements to the Upper Peninsula.”