Vantage Data Centers has come out in favor of a higher-cost alternative for new transmission lines proposed to supply electricity to its massive Port Washington data center campus, aligning itself with local officials and residents who oppose the preferred plan.

American Transmission Co. (ATC) submitted plans to the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) this fall, outlining a $1.36 billion plan to upgrade and expand transmission lines and construct new substations over roughly 90 miles. The project is intended to meet the power demands of Vantage’s $15 billion data center campus and would cross multiple counties, including Ozaukee, Washington, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc and Calumet.

As required by state law, ATC submitted an alternative route, which could cost around $1.64 billion.

The preferred plan has been met with opposition from residents and businesses along the route. The City of Port Washington’s mayor and Common Council voted in October to officially oppose that route, saying it would impact “some of the most pristine and rural areas of our county.”

On Wednesday, Vantage’s President of North America Dana Adams said that Vantage also supports the alternative route.

“This has been the result of many weeks and months of collaboration with WEC (Energy Group) and ATC to ensure that that is a viable solution that we hope the PSC will also support,” Adams said at Vantage’s data center groundbreaking ceremony.

In an emailed statement, Pewaukee-based ATC said its preferred route was selected because it would be less expensive for ratepayers and would rely more heavily on existing utility corridors.

“ATC submitted two buildable options for consideration to the PSCW that strike different balances between these factors,” the statement said. “The route designated as ‘preferred’ offers a lower cost to ratepayers and maximizes the use of existing corridors. We understand that others may favor the alternative route for different considerations.”