At the October 13 meeting of the board of commissioners, three men expressed their opposition to the proposed 765 kV transmission line that is to stretch from the South Dakota border to Wisconsin.
A town hall meeting will be held on October 21 from 6-8 p.m. at the Riverfront Center in Preston to inform citizens about the proposed 765kV transmission line.
Charlie Wray, John Pugleasa, and Kyle Johnson spoke during the Citizens Input portion of the meeting. They are members of NO765MN which is a coalition of Minnesota farmers, landowners, municipalities, residents and local governments who together stand against the proposed transmission line.
Wray said it is a $21.8 billion project; it passes through Minnesota, but Minnesota will receive no energy from it. He says it will decrease land values, decrease tourism, and increase electricity rates. The line is part of a regional plan by MISO, which is mostly a consortium of for-profit utilities. He suggested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said in 2024 that basically this line isn’t needed. MISO petitioned to have the regulatory commission barred from producing uncomfortable facts.
Pugleasa, a former public health director, said they will go in to more depth at the public forum on the 21st. The proposed transmission line would run close to his house and shop. He said concrete footings as deep as 70 feet may need to be drilled to support the steel towers (150 to 200 feet tall). He questioned whether they have considered the karst geology and the affect on the water tables and trout streams. The Minnesota Department of Health has been pretty silent on this project. Concerns are: Why are they not asking questions? If the transmission line is needed, why not put it underground? The Public Utility Commission should determine what is in the best interest of Minnesota.
Johnson said he has a Houston County farm and a forestry business in the area. He lives about three miles north of the proposed route. He shared, “We need to understand how this could change the character of the county for the next 100 years. The line could pose health risks. We don’t have the local authority to stop it. MISO will need permission from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Our best shot to stop the transmission line is to convince the PUC not to let it move forward.” He asked that resolutions be adopted against the proposed line. A healthier alternative is a buried line which he believes will actually be less costly over a 80-to 100-year term, because a high line will require more maintenance.
Other Business in Brief
•The resignation of Natasha Link, Child Support Officer, was approved, effective October 15. The request to advertise for a replacement Child Support Officer was approved.
•Approval was granted to advertise for sealed bids for the rental of 43 acres located on county farm land. It is to be a two-year lease.
•The parking lots are being improved at the courthouse. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery explained due to the undermining of the curb and gutter. more work is required than originally predicted. The board approved an additional $13,000 to cover the extra work.
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