Transmission Lines a-comin'!

From the Tribune:

Two open houses today will provide La Crosse residents with the closest opportunity to learn about a proposed electric transmission line from southeast of the Twin Cities to Rochester, Minn., and on to La Crosse.

The open houses will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Riverport Inn at 900 Bruski Drive in Winona, Minn., and from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Centerville Community Center/Curling Club at W24854 Hwy. 54/93 in Centerville, Wis. Utility representatives will be available to answer questions.

The 150-mile line between La Crosse and the southeast Twin Cities is one of three new 345-kilovolt electric transmission lines proposed by the CapX 2020 utilities alliance. Eleven regional utilities, including Xcel Energy and La Crosse-based Dairyland Power Cooperative, are part of the alliance and first announced their plans in 2006.

Maps showing possible corridors envision the line crossing the Mississippi River either at Alma, Wis., Winona or La Crosse. The line would end at a substation in La Crosse or near Holmen, Wis.