The City Council of Richland Center unanimously adopted Resolution, expresses significant concerns regarding the BECI 765 kV transmission line

The City Council of Richland Center unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2026-11, which was advanced by Alderperson Rachel Schultz, to formally express significant concerns regarding the proposed BECI 765 kV transmission line. The council’s action underscores growing apprehension over the project’s potential impacts on local homes, agricultural land, regional businesses, and the surrounding environment within Richland County and the Driftless Area.

Through the resolution, the City is officially requesting that the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin take several key precautionary steps before moving forward. Specifically, the City asks that the Commission ensure timely notice of all proceedings, give full consideration to alternative routing and design options such as undergrounding or co-location, and require a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates the cumulative effects of both the proposed BECI project and the nearby MariBell Transmission Project.

In addition, the resolution emphasizes the necessity of a thorough federal aviation review due to potential hazards the tall transmission structures could pose to the Richland Center Municipal Airport and regional low-altitude agricultural flights. Moving forward, the City of Richland Center intends to remain fully engaged throughout the regulatory process and has authorized the Mayor and the city administrator to petition for formal intervenor status once the official application is filed.