Transmission line project sparks concerns

As part of the ongoing transmission line project, a public comment session was held, July 24, at the Lake Holcombe Town Hall, where residents along the proposed routes could voice their opinion on how the project is going to impact them. The session is used for creating a record, which is then presented to the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin. “And that’s the only information that we can use, whether to approve, to modify or deny the project,” said Michael E. Newmark, administrative law judge, with the PSC. The project, which hopes to fill a need for reliable transmission grid, to support future generation resources and an anticipated future load, as well as reducing stress on facilities in northern and northwestern Wisconsin. There are two routes, with 94 miles of Route 1 running along a line to the Jump River substation near Sheldon, while Route 2 would go 80 miles, toward the Jump River substation in Clark County. An estimated cost of $669.3 million is expected, if Route 1 is selected, with approximately $483.3 million spent, if Route 2 is selected. If one of the routes is approved by the PSC, the line would be in service by 2029. Don Reck, who lives in the Town of Anson, less than a half mile from the proposed Route 1, expressed opposition to Route 1 and shared support for Route 2. Reck understands the need for the construction, but has deep concerns about the impacts that it would leave on Route 1, aesthetically. “It’s a beautiful area, and I hope and pray that it stays that way,” he said. However, some, like Craig Hinzmann, who lives along Route 2, south of Cadott, are opposed to that route, with Hinzmann fearing it will take too much of his property away. Hinzmann doesn’t like that the powerline poles needed in the project are considerably taller than existing power poles. As for Mary Catherine Anglum, she’s confused by conflicting information shared to her, about why the project is being done. “I don’t think there’s any justification shown for the route,” she said, adding that she wonders if it’s been taken into account if it’s environmentally sound. “Do they understand what they’re destroying with these routes?” Anglum feels that disturbance would be an ongoing issue, as the lines have to be maintained, meaning clear cutting and spraying for weeds, which could contaminate the food supply and be detrimental to wildlife. She also does not like that those in charge of the project didn’t ask if residents along the route wanted the upgrades, instead, pitting two communities against each other. “I don’t support either one of those routes,” said Anglum.