New proposal for electric transmission line prompts concerns from locals

(ABC 6 News) – Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power Cooperative are currently working together to build a new transmission line across southeast Minnesota, connecting to Wisconsin and the rest of the Upper Midwest.

The Gopher to Badger Link is intended to deliver reliable power and strengthen the electric grid for homes, businesses, and farms across the region.

However, part of the project is causing some concern about the options being laid out.

The project is split up into two sections.

The second half utilizes a preexisting line from Marion down towards Adams and across to the Mississippi River.

The first half though will require new construction which is where some locals are concerned about the impact the project could have.

Just outside of Viola, Sara Behnken enjoys a view of the countryside on a farm that’s been in the family for generations.

However, with the new proposed line moving in, she’s concerned how that might affect her, her family, and her neighbors.

“We understand the benefits and the needs,” Behnken said. “We’re trying to figure out why we want to give up this A1 grade soil that’s been farmed for hundreds of years to transmission lines or solar farms or wind projects. You know, when we give up this agricultural land, it’s gone.”

One of the 765 kilovolt towers that’s part of the project could go right in her backyard, just 250 feet from her house.

It’s a piece of one of the potential routes for this section of the line, which crisscrosses the area from north of Pine Island to Marion.

According to Xcel Energy, these preliminary routes use existing infrastructure and corridors to determine a starting point for where the line could go.

“Whether that’s existing transmission lines in the area, roadways or if you can’t find those, maybe field lines or section lines, some sort of existing boundary that you could follow,” says Xcel spokesperson Randy Fordice.

In the area around Behnken’s home, there are other potential options, like a route through the Haverhill Wildlife Management Area near the Silver Creek Reservoir.

However, other people have concerns about that possibility as well.

“That is one of two major, migration stops,” says Michael Degerstrom, president of the Zumbro Valley Audubon Society. “It’s notoriously bad weather during the migration, foggy, light snowstorms, things like that. So the big concern is, these large flocks that go through that area will hit towers or transmission lines.”

The project overall is still in the very early stages.

Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power are still looking for feedback on these potential routes, and will then take those comments into consideration as they redesign the routes later this year.

After that, whatever route they come up with will have to be approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which will gather community feedback itself to determine the best possible route with minimal impact.

“We really want to come together with a good proposal that, you know, serves the needs of our customers and minimizes impacts as much as possible,” says Fordice.

Community members and landowners interested in voicing their thoughts can submit their comments directly to the project’s website.

Xcel Energy will then begin intensively reviewing the comments starting on February 16.