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http://www.wsn.org/transmission_line/index.html
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The Northern Wisconsin Transmission Line The Wisconsin Stewardship Network has designated the proposed 345,000 volt transmission line across northern Wisconsin as a priority issue.  The line would run from Duluth (Arrowhead) to Wausau (Weston).  A separate, smaller line was proposed to link Rhinelander with the Crandon mine. The WSN is opposed to contruction of  the Arrowhead-to-Weston transmission line.   In 2001, the state Public Service Commission approved the main line (while denying the Rhinelander link).  In 2003 they re-approved after re-examining the project because its cost had doubled.  But the battle is not over.  Opposition continues in a number of forums and locations and it has delayed construction of the line.

• Public Land May Be Hurdle For Powerline - PSC chief says company will have to negotiate with local governments.
• Photos And An Audio Report From The SOUL Transmission Line Rally Near Duluth - Opponents move to stop construction in the Town of Midway.
• SOUL Files Legal Action To Block Transmission Line Construction - Group moves to halt Midway leg of 345,000 volt line.
• Transmission Line Questioned At Midway Town Hall - Minnesota leg of 345,000 volt line raises interesting issues. [27kb pdf file.  If you can't read this article, we will send you a text version if you contact us.]
• SOUL Buys Land In Transmission Line Corridor - Minnesota land buy complicates two state 345,000 volt transmission line plan. [27kb pdf file.  If you can't read this article, we will send you a text version if you contact us.] 
• SOUL, Clean Wisconsin Appeal Transmission Line Decision - Lawyers will seek to overturn agency approval of 345,000 volt transmission line.
• Smoking Officer Leaves Utility Commission High & Dry - Officer nominated by SOUL for Cop of the Year.
• SOUL Reacts To PSC Approval Of Transmission Line - Blatant disregard for public, ratepayers and economic well-being of state, say group leaders. 
  • Read the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's story on the decision
  • See what the PSC Commissioners said  [14kb pdf file.  If you can't read this article, we will send you a text version if you contact us.] 
  • Clean Wisconsin and CUB respond to decision. [Both are 7kb pdf files.  If you can't read these, we will send you a text version if you contact us.] 
• Last Public Hearing On Transmission Line - Public testifies against the line for 9 hours at packed hearing in Ladysmith. 
• SOUL Announces 2nd Annual Citizens Energy Forum - Nov. 1 for Eau Claire affair on common sense energy policy for Wisconsin.
• A Few Photos From The Transmission Line Hearings - Tom Kraeger covers Solon Springs.
• Public Speaks Out Again Against Transmission Line - 2nd day of public hearings brings more opposition.  And listen to an audio report from the 1st day's hearing.
• Residents Decry Transmission Line - read the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's story on the public hearings.  And view a statement from Rep. Gary Sherman opposing the 345,000 volt transmission line proposal. [15kb pdf file.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.] 
• SOUL Reponds To Transmission Line Allegations - Utility misleading public with tales of northern Wisconsin impact.
• PSC Adopts Distributed Power Generation Standards - Rep. Schooff praises the PSC for moving to improve the electrical generation system.[28kb pdf file.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.] 
• Utility Fumbling Drove Up Transmission Line Costs - Doubling in costs not due to opponents, says utility executive.
• $2.8 Billion Power Line Plan - Transmission firm has 10 year agenda to upgrade state grid; consumers would pay for it.
• Doyle Streamlines Transmission Line Planning - Seeks coordination between DNR & PSC plus renewed emphasis on renewable energy sources and energy conservation. [41kb pdf file.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.] 
• CUB Testifies That Proposed Powerline Increases Grid Unreliability - Line proposal very vulnerable to risks, says consultant. [10kb pdf file.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.] 
• PSC Schedules Public Hearings On Transmission Line - 3 hearings in October for public input. [20kb pdf file.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.]
• Blackout Proves Arrowhead Wrong For WI - CUB argues for alternatives to power line.[7kb pdf file.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.] 
• Gov. Issues Executive Order On Transmission Line Permitting - Doyle calls for streamlining approval process. [45kb pdf file.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.]
  • Reactions to the Gov's Executive order from the Sierra Club, the PSC , the Energy Lifeline Coalition , and State Sen. Rob Cowles .  
• PSC Announces Public Hearings For Transmission Line - Hearings will be held in 7 county area. [17kb pdf file.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.]
• Informational Powerline Meeting Stirs Controversy - Police shut down Superior meeting before its scheduled closing.  And the debate continues at a Wausau open house. 
• Expert Questions Powerline Capability - Line near Eau Claire would have fewer impacts and be cheaper.
• CUB Expert Says Transmission Line Flawed - Alternative is $100 million cheaper. [9kb pdf file.  If you don't have Adobe's latest pdf file reader, click here for a free copy.  We will also send you a text version of this article if you contact us.]
• Report Supports Power Line Cost Increase - Consultant hired by the PSC says $234 million increase for Duluth- to- Wausau line is reasonable (but the report doesn't say whether or not the line is needed or the best choice).
• Spokesperson For WI Public Service Commission Goes To Work For Transmission Co. - Revolving door moves Annemarie Newman to American Transmission Company, the firm behind the Duluth-to-Wausau 345,000 volt transmission line.
• Images From The Namekagon River Crossing Rally  
• New Transmission Line From Tomahawk To Rhinelander Eyed - Utilities need to consider alternatives, says SOUL.
• River Paddle Highlights Transmission Line Crossings - Namekogan River event brings together line opponents.
• Saving The Namekagon River From Mordor - Transmission line crossings pose images of Middle Earth.
• PSC Announces Framework For Review Of Transmission Line  - Cost of line and alternatives are part of prehearing conference discussion.
• SOUL Begins Media Ad Campaign - Responding to media barrage from line supporters.
• Expanded Review Of Arrowhead-Weston Transmission Line Underway - State Public Service Commission decides to hire independent expert to assess impact of proposal's $232 million cost increase.
• Secret Meetings Between PSC And Utilities Challenged  - Questions swirl around transmission line conversations. [You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this, click here for a free download if you need it.]
• PSC Seeking Public Comments On Reopened Transmission Line Case - New comments due to regulator by January 31.
• One Dedicated Person Can Make A Difference - Wausau Herald lauds SOUL activist Tom Kreager.
• PSC Votes To Review Arrowhead-Weston Transmission Line  - Agency to reopen case following massive cost overruns.
• SOUL Releases Energy Forum Summary - September gathering collected direction for state energy policy.  And see the White Paper by clicking here plus the Original Comments.
• Ecological Effects Can't Be Ignored - Letter writer calls for Minnesota regulators to weigh all concerns fairly during their portion of the transmission line approval process.
• Transmission Line Owner Returns To PSC For Approval Of Cost Spike - Agency review of the doubling in cost for the project will further slow the line's construction timetable, according to the Spooner Advocate.
• Transmission Line A Result Of Corruption And Mismanagment - Writer charges project would never have gotten green light without money laundering scheme.
• Transmission Company Trys To Explain Cost Overrun - Doubling in cost of Duluth-to-Wausau transmission line "signifcant," according to holding company official.
• Transmission Line Costs Double  - Original cost projections resemble Arthur Anderson spread sheet, says SOUL.  And read the Green Bay Press Gazette's story on this issue.
• SOUL Annual Meeting Set For Nov. 9 - Hayward event includes project updates, information sharing, and speakers on hydrogen and energy policy.
• Capitol Scandal Includes Transmission Line  - Utility contributions promoted passage of key legislation charges SOUL.
• National Parks Service Schedules Hearing In Hayward on Nov. 6 for Namekagon River crossing by transmission line.
• Cost overruns likely to delay power line - Much-heralded 210-mile project could draw critics' attentions again, says Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Powerplant Proposal Shows Northern Transmission Line Not Needed  - SOUL says state has plenty of elecrical generating capacity.
• PR Firm Hired To Push Transmission Line - CUB slams effort by same company that helped promote Crandon mine.
• Marathon County Town Of Mosinee Denies Utilities Property Access - Survey work for transmission line blocked on town property, according to Ashland Daily Press.
• SOUL Sponsors Citizen Energy Forum - Help build a sound energy policy on Sept. 13-14 in Wausau.
• The Real Cost Of Hydro - A look at life at the end of the line.
• Judge Supports Utility Powerline Work - Ruling clears the way for survey work, according to Wausau Daily Herald.
• SOUL Planning Citizen Energy Forum - Event will be held in Wausau on Sept. 13-14 with policy paper as goal.
• Transmission Line Opposition Remains Strong - Counties and landowners tussle with utilities.
• Sparks Fly At Forum On Energy - Challengers for Governor criticize McCallum, PSC.
• Utility Sues Landowners Over Transmission Line - Company wants right to inspect for power line, according to Wausau Daily Herald.
• Initial Utility Field Work Disturbing - Borings along right-of-way leave trail of trash, stream damage and unfilled holes.
• Counties Express Resounding No To Transmission Line At Meeting - Spooner meeting unites and reaffirms counties' opposition, according to Spooner Adovate.
• Northern Counties Meeting On Transmission Line - Officials will weigh joint stance, according to Superior Daily Telegram.
• Judge's Ruling Seen As Delaying Appeal Of Line's Approval - Dismissal of case will lead to another hearing in June, opponents say.
• County Reassessing Transmission Line - Douglas County Executive Committee goes into closed session to weigh new route proposal, according to Superior Daily Telegram.
• Sawyer County Board Re-Affirms Opposition To Transmission Line - Request from SOUL follows Douglas County committee action.
• Transmission Line access denied in Douglas County - County committee says company can't do work on county forest land.
• Sawyer County Residents Continue Power Line Fight - Citizens and Town Government taking action, according to Sawyer County Record article.
• CUB Sues PSC On Transmission Line Decision - Utility Watchdog group says PSC ignored alternatives.
• SOUL Takes Transmission Line Battle Into Court - Group files legal challenges in Circuit Court and before state Supreme Court.
• SOUL Offers Advice To Property Owners Concerned With Condemnation and Right-Of-Way Issues - Four rules you should know.
• SOUL Presses Transmission Line Fight Despite PSC Approval - Only round one as fight continues.
• PSC Weighing Decision On Northern Transmission Line - Agency decision expected by end of August.
• Power Line Foes May Go To Court - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel story says opponents likey to challenge any PSC approval.
• Proposed Transmission Line Unites Tribes - Cree and Chippewa Recognize Common Concerns.
• Power Line Would Hurt Economy and Flood Lands - so writes Curt Anderson in the Green Bay News Chronicle.
• Public Service Commission Faces Trial Of Public Confidence - Opponents say weight of evidence against Duluth-Wausau transmission line will test PSC’s political courage.
• River Awareness Tour Raises Concerns About New Power Line - 345,000 volt line would stretch 250 miles across northern Wisconsin.
• 345,000 Volt Power Line Proposal Generates Opposition - Landowners fighting Duluth to Wausau Link.
• Transmission Line Impact Meetings - Energy impacts of Duluth to Wausau 345,000 volt line discussed.
• Transmission Line Opponents Plan Two Rallies.
• PSC Flooded By Email And Notes From Opponents Of Plan, according to news story.
• Ten Things You Can Do To Stop A Transmission Line - SOUL's recommendations for action.

Links:

• Future State Energy Policy - A SOUL White Paper.
• Save Our Unique Lands - The website of the heart and SOUL of the opposition to the project.
• WI Public Service Commission - Project Environmental Impact Statement, maps, hearing schedules, contacts and more.
• Wisconsin Public Service Corp. - The website of the WI utility planning the 345,000 volt transmission line.
• Just Energy - Examining the impact of Manitoba Hydro.