Approved in 2019, the power line spreads across 102 miles and is pursued by American Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative. | Unsplash
Approved in 2019, the power line spreads across 102 miles and is pursued by American Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative. | Unsplash
Former Utility Regulator Mike Huebsch on Sept. 21 was granted a hearing from the Wisconsin Supreme Court after a split-decision vote related to a controversial power line project across southwest Wisconsin.
According to the Lacrosse Tribune, "power line opponents" have requested subpoenas to question and search Huebsch's phone records to back their claims of relationships between Huebsch and executives of the utilities who have allegedly "created an appearance of bias" which would be enough evidence to terminate the permit.
The plaintiffs originally challenged the permit claiming that Huebsch allegedly served on the regional grid operator's advisory board which was in support of the power line, told by the Lacrosse Tribune.
“This case is highly unusual and worthy of this court’s attention," Justice Rebecca Bradley said, the Lacrosse Tribune reported. "This case will, for example, resolve novel legal questions that will have a statewide impact."
The Lacrosse Tribune reports that the Driftless Area Land Conservancy and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation believe that Mike Huebsch’s personal relationships with the executives who approved the Cardinal-Hickory Creek line unfairly influenced the decision. If that turns out to be the case, the permit for the line could be invalidated.
Approved in 2019, the power line spreads across 102 miles and is pursued by American Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative. So far they have funded $126.4 million on the project and argue that the power line is to ensure cleaner, affordable and reliable energy in the future, the Lacrosse Tribune reports.
The power line challengers make the counterargument that the line is unnecessary and would create a blight on a region that is environmentally vulnerable, told by the Lacrosse Tribune.
Gov. Scott Walker appointed Huebsch to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission in 2015. He served a six-year term. Before serving on the Commission, Huebsch was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1995 to 2011. From 1992 to 1995, he was a member of the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors, told by Ballotpedia.
Alerts Sign-up