Power-line construction allowed to continue in Holland

Town board could appeal decision, while PSC could reopen dispute.

Extreme disappointment is the feeling in the town of Holland, over the latest court ruling in the fight over a high-voltage line.

Town leaders have tried to stop construction of a seven- to eight-mile section of the Badger Coulee line, which could harm the environment, and the area’s natural beauty.

Judge Todd Bjerke called off a court hearing in the case, and ruled that the construction could go ahead. 

“He said that he didn’t see any harm in allowing the construction to occur because, if the decision was ultimately reversed on appeal, or by the Public Service Commission in reopening their process, that the power lines could just be taken down and everything restored to how it is,” Holland vice chair Bob Stupi said.

Just one problem there, however, Stupi points out.

“Across the countryside, they ended up having to cut down trees and make a (lane) for the power lines to go through, and pour concrete foundations for the power lines to sit on,” Stupi said. “I don’t really see how you could restore 150-foot (line) of trees being cut down for eight miles through the town.”

The town board will meet tonight, possibly to decide whether to appeal this new ruling, as it apparently didn’t have a say in Wednesday’s decision.

“It’s disappointing,” Stupi said. “I wish that the judge would have allowed both sides to have input. We weren’t given any time to have input into his latest decision.”

Bjerke still wants the Public Service Commission to reconsider that stretch of the Badger Coulee route, which runs north of La Crosse.

The judge reversed his order from earlier this month, which halted the installation of new power poles in the Holmen area.