Town of Holland ponders next move after power line appeal fails

One town in La Crosse County has lost its latest attempt to stop construction of a big power line within its borders.

An appeals court ruling reversed a local court decision to temporarily halt the Badger Coulee line, budgeted at nearly $600 million.

Marilyn Pedretti, the Holland town clerk, said the appeals ruling was very clear.

“They dismissed our objections completely, saying we were out of line, that we were overreaching,” she said.

Pedretti added that even if a higher court rules to have existing transmission poles for the project taken down, the town can’t replace the trees that were removed to make room for poles.
The Hollard town board will discuss the appeal on June 13.

Land owners in Holland argue that tall transmission towers make the surrounding land less valuable and less attractive.