The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is holding public hearings this week on a proposed major transmission line that could stretch from La Crosse to Madison.
The Badger-Coulee transmission line proposed by American Transmission Company and Xcel Energy would be one of the most expensive in state history, and would cost the state up to $580 million. The public hearings offer people the final opportunity to comment on the project before the PSC makes a decision on it by April.
It’s currently unclear if all commissioners will attend the hearings, which has left some people upset that they may not be able to address the the officials in person about how the transmission line could affect their livelihood.
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The PSC Chairperson Phil Montgomery will be at three of the five meetings. Commissioner Eric Callisto’s term ends in February will will likely not be reappointed, therefore will not attend the meetings. Commissioner Ellen Nowak is trying to clear her schedule to attend the meetings.
“With everything that comes with a public official’s schedule, there’s always a number of items that come up,” said Nathan Conrad, a PSC spokesman. “Since every word that is uttered at a public hearing is transcribed and made part of the record, there is no difference in weight if it’s said in front of a commissioner or said to the administrative law judge in terms of being delivered to the record.”
Information on when and where hearings will be held is listed below. Meanwhile, public comments can be submitted until Jan. 5, 2015.
Monday, Dec. 8. 3 p.m.
Waunakee Village Community Center
333 S. Madison Street
Waunakee, Wisconsin
Tuesday, Dec. 9. 3p.m.
Town of Holland Town Hall
W7937 County Road MH
Holmen, Wisconsin
Wednesday, Dec. 10. 3 p.m.
Cashton Community Hall
811 Main Street
Cashton, Wisconsin
Thursday, Dec. 11. 3 p.m.
Three Bears Lodge
701 Yogi Circle
Warrens, Wisconsin
Monday, Dec. 15. 3 p.m.
Kalahari Resorts, Suite A
1305 Kalahari Drive
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
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