- more on the transmission line

September 17, 2003 Madison, WI---- Tuesday brought on the first salvo of the reopened technical hearings on the Arrowhead Weston transmission line at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission in Madison.

Mark Williamson, vice president of the American Transmission Company (ATC) and manager for the Arrowhead project, testified that opponents have not caused the delay or increased cost of the proposed line.  Tom Kreager, President of Save Our Unique Lands (SOUL), said, "I was happy to see Mr. Williamson finally clear this issue up while under oath.  We have always contended that the delays and cost increase were self inflicted and a direct result of poor planning on the part of ATC."

Prior to the start of today’s hearing, a large portion of Mr. Williamson’s testimony had been stricken from the record vindicating SOUL’s position that employment as a utility lobbyist does not qualify him as a credible source of information on transmission line projects.

Kreager was also shocked that multiple ATC witnesses testified that ATC has no contingency plan in place and in fact has not even studied possible alternatives, if the Arrowhead line is not approved for construction.  ATC witnesses also confirmed that they have not yet applied for a single permit from the DNR, which makes it a little hard for the DNR to grant one.

Despite the fact that ATC had their crew of four public relations people on hand for today’s proceedings, they will have a hard time putting a positive spin on Tuesday’s proceedings.

Kreager summed up the day saying, "After today’s proceedings it is obvious that to depend on the Arrowhead Weston transmission line for Wisconsin’s future electric supply would be foolish."

For More Information Please Contact:

Tom Kreager 888-203-9077 (pager), Rich Wentzel 715-687-4391 or Darwin Zielke 715—678-2543