WisBusiness: ATC to add Madison meeting after mayor’s raps utility in letter

By Brian E. Clark
WisBusiness.com

The American Transmission Co. announced today it will add an upcoming public meeting in Madison to the three it has planned to discuss two possible routes across the county for a 345-kilovolt line across Dane County.

The decision follows criticism from Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, who blasted the utility in a letter for leaving Madison off the meeting list. See letter at http://www.wisbusiness.com/1008/Madison_ATC_letter.pdf

ATC announced earlier this week it will recommend two routes to the state Public Service Commission in October. One primarily follows the Beltline, while a second route goes through rural land in the southern tier of the county. Two alternatives go through Fitchburg.

The utility had said it would hold meetings in Verona, Stoughton and Fitchburg in coming months.

Cieslewicz, however, said he was “extremely disappointed” by ATC’s initial plans. The mayor has questioned the need for the power line is staunchly opposed to building it along the Beltline.

“It would appear as though your public input process is designed to produce a specific result: opposition to the southern-most route,” he wrote. “This is surely the message you will receive if you hold public hearings only along that route.

“You cannot ignore Madison residents if you are sincerely seeking input that is balanced and fair. I ask that you hold an open house on Madison’s south and west sides to hear the concerns of all who be impacted by this line.”

Sarah Justus, a spokeswoman for ATC, said the company will hold a meeting in Madison. But she defended the initial decision.

“We have had three rounds of open houses for a total of more than a dozen,” she said. “Madison was included and consistently had the lowest attendance.”

However, she noted, many Madison residents did attend sessions in Fitchburg and Verona.

“We made the three choices based on the number of people impacted,” she said. “We also have to think about the cost because we are spending the people’s money.”

Still, she said, the company is agreeing to schedule a Madison session.

“We hope to see him there,” she said. “He hasn’t attended one of these meetings yet.”

Janet Piraino, the mayor’s chief of staff, said she is pleased ATC will add a Madison session.

“But we’d still like to have two, because this affects both the south and west sides,” she added.

As for Cieslewicz attending the Madison meeting when it takes place, she added:

“If it fits his schedule, he will.”