PLEASE JOIN US CETF to Participate in April 27 Energy Action Fair

Posted on | April 25, 2013 | No Comments

Four energy policy activists who have helped communities fight transmission and frac sand projects in other states will be among speakers at SOUL’s ENERGY ACTION FAIR on April 27.

The ENERGY ACTION FAIR will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Anjeros Grille in Mauston, WI.  Citizens Energy Task Force (CETF) will be amongst the Information Booths hosted from 11 – 5.  The event will also feature speakers from 1 to 3 p.m. and breakout workshops from 3 to 5 p.m. on topics including advocacy strategies and landowner rights.  Click here for more details

AN UPDATE Utilities Respond to CapX2020 Federal (FERC) Complaint

Posted on | April 25, 2013 | No Comments

“Rather than refute the Complaint, the Answer of Respondent Utilities’ adds to the evidence of a systemic electrical problem in moving forward with a radial line ending in La Crosse,”

 Attorney Carol Overland, April 5 Motion to Answer

 On March 21, 2013, utility and interested party responses poured in to counter claims and evidence cited in the Federal Energy Regulatory (FERC) complaint regarding CapX2020 instability.  Attorney Carol Overland, who filed the complaint on behalf of Citizens Energy Task Force (CETF) and Save Our Unique Lands (SOUL), was not surprised.  “We expected the arguments, allegations and diversions”, says Overland.

 In addition to attempts to refute the instability issues, citizens were criticized for their refusal to give-up.

WE TAKE THIS AS A COMPLEMENT.  click here for further information

Work together to stop power lines

Posted on | March 6, 2013 | No Comments

by Irv Balto

In a story about the CapX2020 project, La Crosse County farmer Dennis Niccum said he is being hurt financially by the transmission line project going through his property (Sunday’s Tribune).

“I have to give them something of mine so they can make millions,” Niccum said.

People in the Coulee Region will make personal sacrifices for the common good. What sparks opposition and anger is when personal sacrifice is for private profit. click for details

CapX opponents to ask feds to halt power line

Posted on | March 6, 2013 | No Comments

Two citizens groups announced Thursday they intend to file a complaint with federal regulators contending that the $500 million project, known as CapX2020, was improperly approved.

See documents section for the formal complaint. or click here for complaint

click for details

March 01, 2013 by Chris Hubbuch LaCrosse Tribune

Complaint: Stop Wisconsin link in CapX2020 power line project

Posted on | March 6, 2013 | No Comments

Opponents of CapX2020, a series of more than 700 miles of high-voltage transmission lines from the Dakotas to Wisconsin, said Thursday they are filing a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to try to halt the Wisconsin link of the project.

February 28th, 2013, by Judy Newman, Wisconsin State Journal click for details

CapX opponents to ask feds to halt power line

Posted on | March 4, 2013 | No Comments

Two citizens groups announced Thursday they intend to file a complaint with federal regulators contending that the $500 million project, known as CapX2020, was improperly approved.

See documents section for the formal complaint. or click here for complaint

click for details

March 01, 2013 by Chris Hubbuch LaCrosse Tribune

Land negotiations under way in CapX2020 power line project

Posted on | March 4, 2013 | No Comments

After years of regulatory wrangling, the high-voltage power line known as CapX2020 is about to become more real for Wisconsin landowners along its path.

In the past few weeks, the utilities behind the transmission line have notified hundreds of people who live and own property between Alma and Holmen that 150-foot towers will soon stand in their yards and fields, with 345-kilovolts of power humming along overhead.

Next begins a lengthy process of negotiation for the rights to the land, but unlike their counterparts in Minnesota, Wisconsin residents don’t have the option to sell out and walk away.

March 3,2013 by Chris Hubbuch LaCrosse Tribune click for details

FEDERAL COMPLAINT CLAIMS UTILITIES KNEW OF CAPX2020 GRID INSTABILITY PROBLEMS

Posted on | February 28, 2013 | No Comments

Sparta, Wisconsin, February 28, 2013

Citizens Energy Task Force (CETF) and Save Our Unique Lands (SOUL) filed a complaint today with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) contending utilities knew of grid instability and reliability issues if the Minnesota-Wisconsin section of the CapX2020 high-voltage power line is added to the electric grid. The utilities’ own studies and conclusions form the basis for the complaint.

click here for details

CapX2020 to begin construction this month (01/06/2013)

Posted on | January 12, 2013 | No Comments

Balto said CapX2020 is not “a done deal” and that CETF will continue to fight the construction of CapX2020 and another proposed line from La Crosse to Madison.

The next steps for the organization include continued challenges in the Wisconsin courts over the PSC decision, working with Wisconsin legislators, a challenge to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission over transmission authorities’ decision-making process, and efforts to create legislation in Wisconsin similar to the “Buy the Farm” law in Minnesota. The Minnesota “Buy the Farm” law gives affected property owners the option of making power line companies buy their property in full. Currently, CapX2020 plans include purchasing easements within 75 feet of the 150-foot towers.

by Chris Rogers, Winona Post, January 10,2013 click here for full article

WISCONSIN PSC BLOCKS COURT REVIEW OF CAPX2020 POWER LINE

Posted on | October 29, 2012 | No Comments

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) has succeeded in preventing court review of its May 30 decision to approve the CapX2020 Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse high-voltage transmission line.  By blocking participation of the attorney who represented citizens throughout the PSC hearings, numerous legal problems in the PSC’s decision and its process will not be open to review.

On Friday, October 26, 2012, the Hon. Ann R. Smith, Judge of Dane County Circuit Court, issued an Order denying a Citizen’s Energy Task Force (CETF) Petition for Judicial Review (an appeal).  Carol Overland, the attorney representing CETF throughout the CapX hearing process at the PSC was not allowed to continue to represent CETF in the Circuit Court. 

“We are shocked and dismayed that, because of this order, the PSC will not have to account for substantive legal problems cited in the appeal, including failure to follow Wisconsin law on energy priorities,” said Joe Morse, CETF steering committee member.  “Why do we have a PSC if they won’t follow Wisconsin laws established for energy policy?”  

Click for Details  

click here for legal details on the Wisconsin circuit court decision http://nocapx2020.info/