‘Prove it. Convince us.’ Wisconsin lawmakers push back on massive transmission line projects

LAKE DELTON, Wis. — Republicans and Democrats shared the same message Friday night in Lake Delton: they oppose two proposed 765-kilovolt transmission projects that could cut across hundreds of miles of Wisconsin.

Hundreds of people attended the event at the Kalahari Resort Convention Center, where U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany joined Democratic State Sen. Sarah Keyeski, Democratic State Rep. Karen DeSanto and Republican State Rep. Tony Kurtz. The lawmakers raised concerns about farmland, private property and whether the massive transmission lines are needed.

Sauk County Board Chair Tim McCumber moderated the discussion.

“I don't think you see two Democrats and a Republican sitting together very often, unfortunately,” Kurtz told the crowd. “This is one issue that is bringing us all together.”

The discussion centered on two proposed 765-kV transmission projects — MariBell and the Bell Center–Columbia–Sugar Creek–Illinois/Wisconsin State Line project, known as BECI.

BECI would include approximately 190 miles of new 765-kV transmission lines across southern Wisconsin, beginning at Bell Center in Crawford County and extending to the Illinois state line. The project is still in the planning process and no final route has been selected.

MariBell is a separate, approximately 140-mile project running from Marion, Minnesota, to Bell Center, Wisconsin. Together, the projects would create a new high-voltage transmission path from Minnesota through Wisconsin toward Illinois.

Much of Friday night's discussion focused on where the lines could be built and what they could mean for farms, private property and communities along the route.

“We need to make sure that we protect our farmland,” Tiffany said. “We need to make sure that we protect private property rights also.”

Keyeski questioned whether Wisconsin has adequately considered alternatives, including better use of existing infrastructure and other ways to meet the state's future energy needs.

Her message to developers was simple.

“Prove it,” Keyeski said. “Convince us.”

DeSanto emphasized that opposition to the projects isn't falling along party lines.

“We are in this together,” DeSanto said.

While lawmakers and organizers at Friday's event questioned the need for the projects, MISO says new transmission is needed to strengthen the regional electric grid and meet future energy needs.

MISO approved BECI as part of its long-range transmission plan in December 2024.

No representative from Midcontinent Grid Solutions, the developer of BECI, was present at Friday night's event.

In a separate interview with Civic Media, MGS Director of Community Engagement Brian Radday said BECI is part of a larger regional transmission plan.

“This project is really important for getting reliable energy to homes and businesses here in Wisconsin and across the Upper Midwest,” Radday said.

McCumber focused much of his concern on where the transmission lines could ultimately be built. He argued they should follow existing transportation or utility corridors rather than creating new routes through farmland and other private property.

“We have one shot to stop this project and get it to the interstate corridor,” McCumber told the crowd. “If we fail, it's here for life.”

Public involvement was also a major focus of Friday night's discussion.

Kurtz urged residents who oppose the project to formally submit their concerns rather than assuming elected officials or regulators already know how they feel.

“If you are not pushing back, then your voice is not being heard,” Kurtz said.

Friday's event was billed as a town hall, with organizers advertising that elected officials would take questions from residents, landowners and farmers. A microphone was set up in the room and about a dozen people lined up to speak, but the program ended without audience questions being taken.

One rural Sauk County landowner who spoke with Civic Media after the event asked not to be identified. He said he stood in line at the microphone for approximately 30 minutes waiting for an opportunity to ask a question.

“I'm glad this has the attention of all of our legislators, but it was disappointing to me and several others that we couldn't ask our questions,” he said. “It felt more like a campaign event at times. I'm glad they attended, but that part was disappointing.”

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley was unable to attend Friday's event because of a scheduling conflict.

Residents will have another opportunity to participate in a town hall-style event Oct. 21 at the CAL Center in Reedsburg. The event is expected to include questions from the public.