07/13/2024
Not too long ago, I shared news of a less common type substation that utilities are beginning to propose at virtually any point along a 345 kV transmission line. Called, “switching substations,” they are smaller footprint substations that can be used to “inject” power from nearby utility-scale power plants into the 345 kV transmission line. I mentioned that ATC had approved one of these switching substations just west of Dodgeville, WI potentially to connect part of Uplands Wind and that there were signs of easement property in the Ridgeway area also being investigated.
Earlier this week, I had opportunity to examine how the addition of a switching substation to the La Crosse-Middleton “Badger Coulee” 345 kV transmission line was being sought to support one or more, industrial scale power plants ranging from 2-10 miles from the 345 kV line, in the Mauston area.
It used to be that when communities were forced to site objectionable utility projects they could ‘relax’ a bit before having to confront proposals for more utility expansion. In those times, only the very large substations at the two ends of a new transmission line were being utilized for power plant additions. These grace periods have all but disappeared.
In the year 2024 should you live even far as 18 miles* from an existing 345 kV transmission line, wide expanses of land in your community can suddenly become the target for extensive power plant development. All that has to happen is for one, landowner to sell land with access to their CHC easement to an inquiring utility developer. Once owned by the developer, it can apply to ATC to add a “switching” station. n Once this news is out, area residents can be swarmed by land agents from utilities asking them to sign ~60 page land-use contracts to use their lands for solar and wind power plants. Sadly, the first property owners approached are often absentee land owners and those who have become disenchanted with their proximity to the transmission line.
The good news is, astute communities can now use this awareness to go on alert for utility developer activity in their town. Most often, the unregulated or ‘merchant’ utilities first target absentee land owners or properties where land owners have become disenchanted with the transmission line. Town governments with 345 kV transmission lines running through their jurisdictions community have the option to start educating their constituents about these standing risks. As utility developers are required to file all land contracts they obtain in county tax parcel records, enlightened landowners might want to keep an eye on those county records.
If Wisconsin law required these ‘merchant’ utility developers to approach a local government unit and announce their interest before signing contracts with constituents, there would, at least, be opportunity for the community to learn about and discuss options while they still exist. As-is, unless a Town and constituents are on watch, town governments and the majority of constituents can be the last to learn that several square miles of land in their communities and jurisdictions are already under site control of international corporations.
Sincerely,
Rob Danielson
La Farge, WI
*The Uplands Wind switching station west of Dodgeville would support wind turbines as far as Yellowstone Lake State Park
