Comment period will soon close on new Wisconsin power line
From the organizers, and please note the deadline and comment format for an already contentious proposal and process:
= = = = = = FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE = = = = = =
COMMENT PERIOD FOR BADGER-COULEE PROPOSAL
CONTINUES THROUGH JANUARY 5, 2015
More than 90 percent of comments filed with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) on the Badger Coulee application oppose the high voltage transmission option, according to Save Our Unique Lands (SOUL) of Wisconsin.
“It is very clear that Wisconsin ratepayers are becoming aware of the capital debt and fee issues. Moms and small business owners are taking time to examine the non-transmission alternatives and telling the Commissioners they do not want to absorb billions of dollars in debt over 40 years when any potential need can be met with $19 million invested in energy efficiency and solar that produce guaranteed savings and emission reductions,” said SOUL secretary Rob Danielson.
Approximately 500 comments have been made on the application, including those spoken at recent public hearings or written during the current comment period, in addition to those submitted on the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
The majority of ratepayers who’ve voiced opinions oppose the high voltage transmission option, no matter of route. In their comments, they question need for the line, and raise economic, cultural, health and environmental concerns. Others have opposed building a high voltage line in their community, citing similar reasons.
During the four years since the Badger Coulee was announced, more than 2,000 Wisconsin ratepayers and 90 municipalities plus a dozen legislators have asked the PSC for a cost/benefit analysis comparing the build and alternatives options of the Badger Coulee application. Wisconsin law requires this comparison, and states that if an alternative is found more cost beneficial the PSC must choose it over the build option.
Some of the people speaking at the recent hearings spoke on behalf of several people. These included Rudy Borntreger, at the public hearing in Cashton Dec. 10, who said he was speaking on behalf of 250 Amish families in the 13 districts of the Cashton Amish community. At the Dec. 9 hearing in the town of Holland, Prairie View Elementary School principal Patrice Gilbertson-Tronstad handed in letters from 177 families.
“All Wisconsin ratepayers would pay for transmission expansion. With No Wires Alternatives officially on the docket, Wisconsin can head in a direction that will only add to the beauty of our state if we speak up,” Danielson said. SOUL of Wisconsin is aiming for 1000 one- line comments by Jan. 5, 2015. To comment, visit:
http://psc.wi.gov/apps40/ERF_public/comment/filecomment.aspx?util=5&case=CE&num=142
Written comments will be accepted up to Jan. 9 mailed to Comment 05-CE-142, PO Box 7854, Madison, WI 53707-7854 No emails will be accepted. If you want PSC comment forms on paper, contact the PSC or info@soulwisconsin.org or 608-625-4949.
Technical hearings on the application will begin Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. at the PSC Building, 610 North Whitney Way, Madison. The public can attend, but cannot speak, at these hearings.
For more information, contact:
Joan Kent, Media Committee
S.O.U.L. of Wisconsin
PO Box 146
La Farge, WI 54639
608-625-2339
Joan Kent <donjoan@mwt.net>
= = = = = = FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE = = = = = =
COMMENT PERIOD FOR BADGER-COULEE PROPOSAL
CONTINUES THROUGH JANUARY 5, 2015
More than 90 percent of comments filed with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) on the Badger Coulee application oppose the high voltage transmission option, according to Save Our Unique Lands (SOUL) of Wisconsin.
“It is very clear that Wisconsin ratepayers are becoming aware of the capital debt and fee issues. Moms and small business owners are taking time to examine the non-transmission alternatives and telling the Commissioners they do not want to absorb billions of dollars in debt over 40 years when any potential need can be met with $19 million invested in energy efficiency and solar that produce guaranteed savings and emission reductions,” said SOUL secretary Rob Danielson.
Approximately 500 comments have been made on the application, including those spoken at recent public hearings or written during the current comment period, in addition to those submitted on the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
The majority of ratepayers who’ve voiced opinions oppose the high voltage transmission option, no matter of route. In their comments, they question need for the line, and raise economic, cultural, health and environmental concerns. Others have opposed building a high voltage line in their community, citing similar reasons.
During the four years since the Badger Coulee was announced, more than 2,000 Wisconsin ratepayers and 90 municipalities plus a dozen legislators have asked the PSC for a cost/benefit analysis comparing the build and alternatives options of the Badger Coulee application. Wisconsin law requires this comparison, and states that if an alternative is found more cost beneficial the PSC must choose it over the build option.
Some of the people speaking at the recent hearings spoke on behalf of several people. These included Rudy Borntreger, at the public hearing in Cashton Dec. 10, who said he was speaking on behalf of 250 Amish families in the 13 districts of the Cashton Amish community. At the Dec. 9 hearing in the town of Holland, Prairie View Elementary School principal Patrice Gilbertson-Tronstad handed in letters from 177 families.
“All Wisconsin ratepayers would pay for transmission expansion. With No Wires Alternatives officially on the docket, Wisconsin can head in a direction that will only add to the beauty of our state if we speak up,” Danielson said. SOUL of Wisconsin is aiming for 1000 one- line comments by Jan. 5, 2015. To comment, visit:
http://psc.wi.gov/apps40/ERF_public/comment/filecomment.aspx?util=5&case=CE&num=142
Written comments will be accepted up to Jan. 9 mailed to Comment 05-CE-142, PO Box 7854, Madison, WI 53707-7854 No emails will be accepted. If you want PSC comment forms on paper, contact the PSC or info@soulwisconsin.org or 608-625-4949.
Technical hearings on the application will begin Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. at the PSC Building, 610 North Whitney Way, Madison. The public can attend, but cannot speak, at these hearings.
For more information, contact:
Joan Kent, Media Committee
S.O.U.L. of Wisconsin
PO Box 146
La Farge, WI 54639
608-625-2339
Joan Kent <donjoan@mwt.net>
3 comments:
How ironic -- using the Internet, computers, and other electronic communication devises to complain about a powerline!
This is just "not in my backyard" crap -- any meaningful objection to these power lines would begin by talking about energy uses, alternatives, and renewables.
Just more of what I expect when I come here -- narrow minded posts or ironic-boardering-on-insane.
Yup -- let's turn all the power off and see how many hits your blog gets then!
The release calls for alternatives and efficiencies. It does not call for turning the lights.
The alternative plan developed by Power's electrical engineering firm representing Wisconsin ratepayers certainly does not call for turning off our computers or our lights. And hundreds of citizens referred to alternatives, renewables and most of all the profitable trend in business to invest in energy efficiency. The "no new wires" plan would in fact provide more reliable electricity for a fraction of the cost. Incidentally, I'm a member of SOUL of Wisconsin opposing the high voltage transmission line proposal--and I don't live anywhere near potentially impacted land. The utilities have given us a completely unnecessary and outrageously expensive proposal. You'll feel the impact when you get your electric bill.
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