Opponents Of Major Transmission Line Project May Appeal Its Approval

Opponents of the Badger-Coulee transmission line project are considering whether or not to appeal the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s decision to approve the massive energy project that will stretch from the La Crosse area to Madison.

PSC commissioners approved the project on Thursday. Project partners Xcel Energy and American Transmission Company say it’s needed to improve reliability and increase energy capacity.

Deb Severson is with Citizens Energy Task Force, a group that opposes the line. She said they may ask the PSC to rehear the case or challenge the decision in the courts.

“The biggest thing that sits with me is the minimization of the public, both in the process and decision-making. We put forward very valid concerns that were not only glossed over, but the commission criticized Citizens Energy Task Force,” said Severson.

Severson said the group requested that the PSC conduct a more thorough needs analysis and consider alternatives, like local power generation. The PSC did not move forward with those requests.