An urgent battle

UPDATE from Bill: Thursday, July 31, at 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, La Crescent (on the highway-freeway going north to I 90): MN State Rep. Ken Tschumper will host a community forum to inform area residents about the risk and implications associated with the proposed high voltage transmissions line from the Twin Cities to Wisconsin. The proposed line would cut through La Crescent Township and La Crescent City, and then across French Island and into La Crosse County. All citizens of affected counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin are invited to attend to find out more about this proposal and what they can do to voice their own personal concerns.

[from Guy] LA CROSSE IS ABOUT TO WITNESS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 345 Kv Line ACROSS THE RIVER NEAR DOWTOWN LA CROSSE UNLESS WE ACT NOW! THIS LINE WILL RUN FROM LA CROSSE TO MADISON TO RACINE TO OHIO!

Without so much as a "whisper" of explanation or opportunity to appear at a public hearing, the construction of a 345Kv transmission line maybe coming to La Crosse very soon. It is imperative that we ACT NOW! The dealine for any comments is in August 22nd!

What do we want? A public hearing in La Crosse.

The CapX2020 line has already notified people in south La Crescent that the line will cut through their neighborhoods (Skunk Hollow area where Jeremy Chipps and Joe Francois lives). The lines will then cross the Mississippi and head north on the RIVER to FRENCH ISLAND, going north and head East to a substation between Onalaska and Holmen. This is actually on the maps of CapX2020--the homeowners in MN were notified, people in French Island were NOT!

Here is the worst news. The only public hearing in this area on THIS ROUTE was held in Winona several weeks ago AND, the decision makers in MN can cross the RIVER w/o any Federal Hearings! We need lawmakers and businesses to write the Judge and demand a public hearing in La Crosse. At the time of the hearing the bridge was also out between Winona and impacted parties from WI.

PLEASE attend a VERY IMPORTANT EVENT this Thursday in La Crescent. AND, MOST IMPORTANT, PLEASE Write to Judge Heydinger (and send a copy of your letter to Citizens Energy Task Force). Letters can be sent until *August 22, 2008* to Administrative Law Judge Beverly J. Heydinger at capx.oah@state.mn.us

Or, send your letter to the following U.S. Mail address:
The Honorable Beverly J. Heydinger
Office of Administrative Hearings
600 North Robert Street
P.O. Box 64620
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0620

Read more background and details at the Citizens Energy Task Force web site. Read the CapX2020 "environmental information" Twin Cities-La Crosse 345kV project from the CapX2020 group.