Transmission Line Project Stalled In Western Wisconsin Amid Concerns About Rare Birds

Some rare birds have caused construction to come to a halt on part of a major transmission line project in western Wisconsin.

The CapX2020 power line is being built across southwest Wisconsin and workers were supposed to stop when they reached the New Amsterdam Grasslands. The protected land in La Crosse County is home to a number of ground-nesting birds, including the threatened Bell’s vireo and Henslow’s sparrow.

But, due to miscommunication, workers built transmission poles during the nesting season, violating a no-work agreement with the state.

Mississippi Valley Conservancy owns the land north of La Crosse. Its executive director Carol Abrahamzon said the grassland birds are sensitive to loud noises and tall structures.

“That was definitely our concern because we don’t want them to abandon a nest and/or get squished,” Abrahamzon said.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has halted construction on a three-mile stretch of the project until the nesting season is over, which could be in mid-August. A PSC spokesman said Xcel Energy, one of the 11 CapX partners, will likely not be reprimanded since it appears to have been a mistake.

A CapX2020 spokesman apologized, saying the company screwed up and takes full responsibility.

The CapX2020 project should be completed in September.