Technical Hearings On Major Transmission Line Proposal Begin In Madison

Badger-Coulee Line Would Stretch From La Crosse To Madison

By
Duke Energy (CC-BY-NC-ND)

Energy experts, project managers, and environmentalists are testifying this week on the impact of a proposed high-powered transmission line project that could stretch from the La Crosse area to Madison.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s technical hearing for the Badger-Coulee transmission line project kicked off on Tuesday. Twenty-five groups are official intervenors in the case, which is a high number for the PSC. The intervenors include community groups, project opponents and business consortiums. Each will take turns testifying and questioning one another throughout the week.

On the first day of hearings, representatives from project developers American Transmission Company and Xcel Energy testified for hours, taking questions on why the Badger-Coulee line is needed and how the $580 million price tag was calculated.

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Attorneys representing project opponents also questioned the companies about research on health and environmental impacts, issues that the many parties disagree on.