United in fight against data center power lines

Nearly 100 Town of Fredonia residents packed into the Fredonia Government Center last week to make their case against a proposed extension of high-voltage power lines through the township — lines intended in large part to serve a data center in the City of Port Washington.

The standing-room-only crowd flowed into the lobby of the building, applauding when speaker after speaker spoke against the lines and cited a variety of reasons to oppose the lines.

Their sentiments resonated with the Town Board, which voted unanimously to approve a resolution opposing the lines that was drafted by Protect Fredonia, a grassroots organization that organized many of those who spoke that night.

The resolution was filed with American Transmission Co. the following day and will be included in ATC’s eventual filing for permission to route the lines with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, Town Chairman Chris Janik said.

The resolution, which was based off a similar resolution approved by the Town of Saukville, cites potential damage to the town’s “pristine” natural environments, areas that support and provide habitat for wildlife, including protected species of birds, mammals and marine life, important sites previously inhabited by American Indians and “vibrant and important rural areas that support farming, agricultural and other similar operations which provide a healthy and highly valued living environment for residents.”

The resolution calls for ATC to locate its transmission lines along existing routes “and not bisect the town in the manner proposed.”

It also directs Janik to investigate whether the town should hire special counsel to represent its interests before the PSC.

“The next battleground is really with the PSC,” Janik told the crowd, adding, “I really don’t want to get into a battle with Saukville where the loser gets the power lines.”

He warned residents that the Town Board has little sway in the matter, urging them to keep an eye on the PSC, which will receive an application from ATC containing recommended routes.

“They (the PSC) have the option to pick one route or another route or reject them and say bury the lines,” Janik said. 

Attorney Joe  Gromacki, W4830 River Rd., talked about the fact the lines would cut through Waubeka, the birthplace of Flag Day, saying, “In my opinion it would really destroy the charming nature of Waubeka. I just think we can’t let it happen. If we the people who live here voice our opposition to it, they will listen.”

Waubeka, he added, is an important area in Native American culture, he said, showing off a case with flint arrowheads he found in the area.

“If we allow these power lines to go through, we will be compromising other artifacts that may be found,” Gromacki said. “The mounds we have here in Waubeka are among the most important in the state. We can’t let this area be compromised.”

The effigy mounds, he said, are part of a system that starts in West Bend and once stretched to Kletzsch Park in Glendale.

Shelly Buser of Hickory Drive said the proposed line would run “smack dab” through a large upland forest next to the Milwaukee River, destroying wildlife habitat and impacting a waterway used by both people and animals.

Depending on how wide the right of way is, Buser said, the lines would destroy anywhere from 14 to 26 acres of woods.

Another town resident said that the loss of mature plantings would ease the way for invasive species and damage the habitat of nesting birds that often fly low and are likely to strike the power lines.

Another woman noted that electrical lines give off electromagnetic fields that she said have been linked to childhood leukemia.

“This is considered a human carcinogen,” she said of the electromagnetic fields. “Do we want to test this out with the lives of our children? We need to protect them.”

The fight shouldn’t be defined as a Town of Fredonia route vs. Town of Saukville route, residents said, noting both communities want the new power lines routed along existing routes. 

“No line is a good line,” Buser said. “But if they keep with a right of way line that already exists, it seems the impact would be less.” 

That thought was echoed by a woman living on Meadowlark Road, who said, “They would save the environment. They would save people’s property from being destroyed.”

Better yet, she added, would be if ATC were to bury the lines.

“We have great concerns about the power lines,” Gromacki said, not the least of which is the impact on property values.

“In many cases, these are homestead properties. Our values would be greatly diminished. It’s just not fair,” he said.

ATC representatives have said the company doesn’t want to use the existing routes, Gromacki said, because they would have to take down the current lines and rebuild the lines — something that would be more expensive than running new lines elsewhere.

“In my opinion, cost is not the only factor,” Gromacki said. “We have to protect this community in which we all live. Don’t destroy our pristine rural community by running power lines through here because it’s easier.

“I think it’s really important for the town to take a strong stance.”

The board had two resolutions to consider, one drafted by the town and the other by Protect Fredonia, and Town Supr. Bob Eichner made the motion to approve Protect Fredonia’s document, saying it “is a little more definitive as to why we oppose this. I think it’s important we do everything we can for everyone.

“I think this resolution does have more impact than doing nothing,” Eichner added. “It comes from your representatives, which speaks volumes. We are united with you. We will do everything we can for you.”