A massive $1 billion proposal for transmission lines that would run through Northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula should not be allowed to continue on a special, fast-tracked “out-of-cycle” approval process, according to the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) and Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin (CUB)

American Transmission Company’s (ATC) proposed “Northern Plan” transmission proposal is being reviewed on a rapidly accelerated schedule by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO), a regional organization that manages access to the electricity grid. MISO granted the faster, out-of-cycle review process because of WE Energies’ statements that it might shut down the Presque Isle coal plant in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette, Michigan. Recently, WE Energies and Wolverine Power Cooperative announced a joint venture to explore retrofitting the coal plant with modern pollution control equipment and continuing to run the plant.

“Consumers should not be asked to pay for $1 billion of new transmission lines running through Wisconsin’s Northwoods, without a full and fair review of alternatives that might save money and prevent the disruption of key habitats and natural areas,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.

According to the groups, a more thorough, normal review process should include a consideration of the cost impacts of siting, as well as a detailed consideration of alternative transmission routes. The proposed high-voltage transmission lines would run through the Northwoods in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

“Should we spend many years and consumer dollars to analyze the technical details of a plan that might not even happen because of the significant natural resources and other concerns it already raises,” asked Charlie Higley, Executive Director of Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin. “Should we build transmission lines through one state to primarily serve another state? These are questions MISO should ask – and answer – after careful review.”

Although the MISO review process is closed to the public, MISO agreed to allow ELPC and CUB to submit expert comments for its consideration. Read them here.

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The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization. www.ELPC.org

In her testimony, Kathrine explained the unique importance of Wisconsin’s only National Forest and the aggressive logging practices that have threatened the forest’s health in recent years.  Katherine’s testimony outlined steps the US Forest Service can take to manage the forest in a way that balances recreation, natural resources values and logging.

Read Kathrine’s testimony here.

What: House Agriculture Committee Field Hearing on forest resource management in Northern Wisconsin

When: Monday, July 20th, 9:00am

Where: Radisson Paper Valley, 333 W. College Avenue, Appleton WI 54911

Details are also available on the House Agriculture Committee schedule.

This is an exciting and rare opportunity, and you can make sure conservationists have a seat at the table!

Here five easy ways you can help:

1. This hearing is open to the public, and anyone can attend.  Share this information with interested friends in the Appleton area. RSVP by email or phone to ahorn@elpc.org or 608.204.9735.

2. Do you have a blog or a mailing list? Inform other conservationists about this hearing!

3. Can’t attend? Show your support for preserving the CNNF by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.  Contact ahorn@elpc.org if you would like guidance or a template letter that you can personalize and send.

4.  Send a letter to Congressman Kagen, thanking him for drawing attention to this important issue and urging him to protect important natural resource values in the Northwoods.  Personalizing your letter helps you make more of an impact.  

5.  Submit written testimony.  Anyone is free to submit written testimony to the following mailing address:

Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Agriculture
1301 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

ELPC and Habitat Education Center (HEC) have agreed to a settlement with the US Forest Service on the Cayuga Project timber sale, which approved logging of more than 5,200 acres in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Clam Lake, Wisconsin. The settlement will defer logging and road building for four years on 2,000 acres that scientists have identified as critically important for wildlife habitat, clean water, at-risk species protection and the overall health of the forest.

Read ELPC’s press release.

What: A one-hour phone briefing and Q&A on ELPC’s work to preserve Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
Who: ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner
Professor Mark Leach, Bro Professor of Regional Sustainable Development,
Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin
Date: Tuesday, February 3rd, 12:00 PM (Central Time
RSVP: Register for the event here

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) has been identified by scientists as one of the 10 most endangered national forests in the nation. The harmful impacts of such extensive logging on waterways, key habitat and threatened species, and conservation goals are significant.

The Forest Service has approved too much logging, too fast and in too many of the wrong places when it comes to preserving important natural resources values.  Under the Obama Administration, we hope for a more balanced approach.

To read more about ELPC’s work to protect the threatened Northwoods forest ecosystem, please click here.

You can help, too—ELPC has launched an online Activist Toolkit that makes it easier for you to voice your opinion on how our forests are managed. Click here to learn how you can take action.

Join us for the phone briefing on Tuesday February 3rd at noon (CST).

If you would like to participate, please register for the call here.

Scientists and conservationists filed extensive comments expressing concern that the Forest Service was allowing too much logging in the proposed Cayuga Project, which is next to other large timber sales and contains old growth forests and high quality trout streams. In addition, more than 300 citizens submitted letters urging the Forest Service to more fully consider the combined impact of the timber sales on the environment.

Thanks to all the advocates who wrote asking the Forest Service to reconsider its decision!

Read more here

The Forest Service has repeatedly attempted to shut ELPC and our scientist colleagues out of the appeal process for the Fishel timber sale. The Forest Service tried to award the logging contracts before the Court resolved our case on the merits. The preliminary injunction preserves the status quo.

ELPC is working hard to protect clean water, threatened species and important wildlife habitat, biodiversity and other important natural resources in Wisconsin’s Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The Forest Service is proposing too much logging, too fast and in too many of the wrong places. Let’s preserve this special place!

Take Action on another timber sale: Please ask the Forest Service to reconsider its proposal for the Cayuga timber sale near Clam Lake in Northern Wisconsin. Click here to send a letter to Regional Forester Kent Connaughton.