The state will not order an audit of the American Transmission Company.
The co-chairs of the Legislature's Joint Audit Committee say the state does not have the authority to audit a private company.
State Representative Sondy Pope-Roberts (D-Middleton) called for the investigation. She believes ATC is pushing for unnecessary power line upgrades just to improve its profit margin. She also thinks the state has the authority because A-T-C was created through an act of the legislature.
The company gets a federally guaranteed 12-percent rate of return on all of its projects. A-T-C executives say the new lines are needed to provide an ample, and stable supply of electricity for a growing and power needy area.
