Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Saturday, July 26, 2008

Proposed power lines in La Crescent sparks high-voltage debate

By RYAN STOTTS / La Crosse Tribune

LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Some angered residents are joining forces to oppose the process by which high-voltage power lines might be installed from La Crescent to La Crosse.

“We simply and respectfully question the depth and scope of how well these energy concerns have marketed what exactly they are doing,” said La Crescent resident Jeremy Chipps.

Chipps, who attended past information meetings on the proposed CapX2020 project, said he was dismayed by the lack of public knowledge.

“I can hardly find anyone in La Crescent city, township, Onalaska, Holmen or La Crosse who knows anything about this,” Chipps said. “Almost no one.”

The power lines, proposed by a group of utilities in 2007, would cost an estimated $1.2 billion and run in three segments from Brookings, S.D., to Minneapolis, from Fargo, N.D., to southeast of the Twin Cities, and from Minneapolis to Rochester to La Crosse, according to a Dairyland Power official.

Chipps’ vocal opposition has stirred others.

Nancy Nunemacher, who lives and works in La Crescent, began knocking on doors in her neighborhood after getting a call from Chipps less than a week ago.

“My goal is to make people aware that this is a proposal, and if they have concerns, they can come to the Monday night meeting,” Nunemacher said.

Donna Buckbee, who lives on Ferndale Ridge near Rushford, Minn., said she already has more than 40 signatures on petitions opposing the project.

“If big shots can come in and force people to do something without any say, then today it’s La Crescent and tomorrow it might be me,” Buckbee said.

The concern prompted La Crescent Mayor Mike Poellinger to invite Chuck Thompson, manager of siting and regulatory affairs at Dairyland Power, to attend the city council meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

“As it’s been presented to us, we have no authority about this,” Poellinger said. “We’re limited on our control on these items.”

The city has received only preliminary information so far, Poellinger said.

“We’re going to give them an overview of how we got to where we are today, and what meetings will be held in the future to bring people up to speed with where we are,” Thompson said.

Five weeks of hearings before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission began this week, he said, but public written comments to the judge will be accepted only until Aug. 22.

Chipps said that’s not enough time to properly inform the public.

“Why are we just finding out about these enormous 170-foot giants from Xcel, Dairyland and nine other utilities?” Chipps said. “Who pays? And do we even need it?”

Ryan Stotts can be reached at (608) 791-8446 or ryan.stotts@lee.net.