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The Coalition Against Maribel 765, Inc. is a grassroots corporation of concerned landowners fighting the massive, proposed 765-kilovolt (kV) MariBell transmission line slicing through the Driftless region of SW Wisconsin.
We strongly oppose construction of this unnecessary and critically damaging power line.
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What is MariBell?The proposed MariBell Project is a 140-mile, 765 kilovolt (kV)/161 kV double circuit transmission line developed by Dairyland Power and GridLiance. It is proposed to stretch from Marion, MN to Bell Center, WI. The project is part of a larger proposal by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), to interconnect the grid.
MariBell is built to move power across the region, not to deliver power to residents in Southwest Wisconsin. It is a giant extension cord taking excess power from states West of Wisconsin and delivering it to large consumers nowhere near the Driftless region. |
How MariBell impacts the Driftless.As proposed, the towers stand up to 200 feet tall. The wood-pole lines already crossing our coalition members' lands run about 70 feet tall. A mature oak tops out near 65 feet. Think of three mature oak trees stacked on top of each other - crossing the ridges and filling the valleys of the Driftless. The easements required for these monstrosities stretch up to 250 feet, eating homes, destroying productive cropland, and wiping out generations of hard work on family-farms, hunting grounds, and preserved wildlands. And guess who gets to pay for it?
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These aren't your grandma's transmission towers.
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What is at risk?
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By the NumbersTowers up to 200 feet tall. Right-of-ways as wide as 250 feet.
Tower bases up to 60X60 feet. Towers as wide as 140 feet. You've never seen infrastructure like this because it is UNPRECEDENTED IN WISCONSIN. |
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What is CAM765?
The Coalition Against MariBel 765, Inc. is a grassroots organization of impacted landowners from Genoa to Bell Center, Wisconsin fighting against the proposed transmission line. Our Coalition has filed a lawsuit against Dairyland Power and GridLiance in Vernon County circuit court. We are represented by Erik Olsen of Eminent Domain Services. We intend to stop the line.
We believe this project is: Wrong for our people. Wrong for our environment. Wrong for Wisconsin.
Wrong for our People: Our members rely on their land for their income. This project threatens to destroy pristine pasture and cropland our farmers have worked for generations to carefully cultivate. There is strong evidence to suggest that ultra-high voltage transmission lines pose serious health risks to those living under or near them. The industry disagrees with these findings-no surprise there!
Wrong for our Environment. Huge easements could decimate forests and ruin vital foraging zones for whitetail deer, turkey, and more. There are enormous unanswered questions regarding the Driftless area's sensitive karst geology and how installation of enormous footings could permanently contaminate groundwater aquifers. The noise, corona discharge, and UV light visible to animals and insects will permanently alter the environment for birds, cattle, and insects. The line passes directly through the Mississippi Flyway, through which roughly 40% of all North American birds migrate.
Wrong for Wisconsin: We do not need this power in Wisconsin. It is no secret that our state should pursue a pathway toward energy reform. We should produced more base-load power locally, increase local control for siting of major infrastructure projects such as wind, solar, and energy transmission, and more. MISO's own independent expert questioned the necessity of this project. Wisconsin's hard-working people, precious ecologies, and scenic vistas deserve more than ruination to stuff the pockets of utilities and developers.
We believe this project is: Wrong for our people. Wrong for our environment. Wrong for Wisconsin.
Wrong for our People: Our members rely on their land for their income. This project threatens to destroy pristine pasture and cropland our farmers have worked for generations to carefully cultivate. There is strong evidence to suggest that ultra-high voltage transmission lines pose serious health risks to those living under or near them. The industry disagrees with these findings-no surprise there!
Wrong for our Environment. Huge easements could decimate forests and ruin vital foraging zones for whitetail deer, turkey, and more. There are enormous unanswered questions regarding the Driftless area's sensitive karst geology and how installation of enormous footings could permanently contaminate groundwater aquifers. The noise, corona discharge, and UV light visible to animals and insects will permanently alter the environment for birds, cattle, and insects. The line passes directly through the Mississippi Flyway, through which roughly 40% of all North American birds migrate.
Wrong for Wisconsin: We do not need this power in Wisconsin. It is no secret that our state should pursue a pathway toward energy reform. We should produced more base-load power locally, increase local control for siting of major infrastructure projects such as wind, solar, and energy transmission, and more. MISO's own independent expert questioned the necessity of this project. Wisconsin's hard-working people, precious ecologies, and scenic vistas deserve more than ruination to stuff the pockets of utilities and developers.
Partner Organizations
We are not in this fight alone! Across the nation, landowners are standing up against this dangerous and unnecessary power line. It is time for every potentially impacted landowner (and their neighbors!) to speak up and get involved!
No 765 Line, Inc.
A Wisconsin 501(c)(3) campaign and citizen coalition opposing the two proposed 765 kV transmission lines — MariBell and BECI — across southern Wisconsin.
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No 765 MN
A coalition of landowners and residents in SE Minnesota fighting the proposed "Gopher to Badger" 765 kV transmission line.
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No AI Power Inc
A grassroots coalition of landowners recently formed to fight the secondary line proposed for the MariBell 765 kV transmission line.
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No AI Power Inc
An alliance of Lake Wisconsin area residents and landowners opposing the BECI 765 kV Transmission Line Project across southern Wisconsin.
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This transmission line will not be built.Our coalition of concerned landowners and residents has filed a lawsuit against Dairyland Power and GridLiance to stop this dangerous and unnecessary industrialization project in the Driftless region. We need your support. Can you help us fund the legal battle?
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YOU CAN HELP
It has been said that 17 major transmission projects have been delayed or stopped entirely in the United States. The common thread in every one of those was a dedicated community folks intervening to protect what needed protecting. We need landowners, residents, hunters, farmers, recreationalists, conservationists, bird-watchers, hikers, bikers, kayakers, tree-climbers, karst-enthusiasts, tourists, and every other person who makes their living, or has their fun in this precious Driftless region to speak up.
Will you join us?
Will you join us?
We may reach out with updates on our progress or important community events. We will never sell your data.