Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, ATC Development Co enter joint operating agreement

Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) and ATC Development Co., a development branch of Wisconsin-based American Transmission Co. (ATC), recently entered into a joint operating agreement to form ATC Southwest and develop transmission projects in Arizona and the southwestern United States.

“Arizona and the Southwest are growing, and we’re already seeing increased demand for power that can only be met if we’re willing to step up and develop the transmission projects that will meet that demand over the next two decades and beyond,” AEPCO Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ledger said.

AEPCO is a not-for-profit, member-owned generation and transmission cooperative based in Benson, Arizona and primarily provides for the low-cost energy needs of rural customers in the state.

ATC, a multi-state, transmission-only utility, has invested significantly in improving transmission infrastructure in the U.S. Upper Midwest.

“We are pleased to be partnering with AEPCO and its family of cooperative utilities to address transmission development needs in the region,” Mike Rowe, president and chief executive officer of ATC Development Co., said. “We have significant experience working with public power in the Midwest, and we look forward to partnering with public power in the Southwest. ATC Southwest will be adding value through identifying and implementing transmission solutions that deliver reliability, economic and renewable energy benefits in the southwestern United States.”