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Below is an interview by Socialist Action newspaper with Beth Aker, an activist with the group Save Our Unique Lands and a student at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Socialist Action: Tell us a little bit about
the Arrowhead-Weston power line and what the history of this project is?
Beth: The Arrowhead-Weston
is not a power line, but a bulk transmission line hoping to serve
southeastern Wisconsin's "future energy
needs". If built, it would run between Duluth, Minnesota and Wausau, Wisconsin bringing energy from the
ecological disaster known as Manitoba Hydro. In 1999, American
Transmission Company (ATC) got the line approved by the Public Service
Commission (PSC) at $165 million over the opposition of the Department
of Natural Resources (DNR), the National Park Service (NPS), Save Our
Unique Lands (SOUL), and thousands of citizens who all projected the
cost of the project to be $400 million. ATC was forced to return
to the PSC one year later when costs went up and subsequently raised to
$420 million. ALL other options were now cheaper than the
Arrowhead-Weston. In the beginning, the DNR testified that
the Arrowhead-Weston was the "most environmentally damaging
project to ever come before them for a permit." And yet
today, in 2005, it is still an issue.
Socialist Action: How did
you come to get involved in this fight?
Beth: When the project was first introduced in 1999, it was
routed through my uncle's six-generation farm. I did my homework
and learned about the issue but soon moved out of state. When I
returned home, the fight was still going strong. I could not
believe something so obviously devastating was still on the tables of
discussion. The route had changed and was not planned to cross my
relatives' land, but I was still greatly concerned. I joined SOUL
and became active in the fight. Once I was informed,
I wanted nothing more than to be involved. Eyes that
are opened are unable to be closed.
Socialist Action: I
understand the driving force in this fight to have been a determined
group of local farmers and landowners, but that recently a number of
students have gotten involved. Why do you think that this is an
important issue for young people to be concerned about?
Beth: Northern Wisconsin is slated to become an
energy corridor for this money-hungry, Enron-type deregulation.
Utilities have never been able to operate like ATC has and that
threatens both our energy reliability and our quality of life
here. We (young people) are the future generation and it is we
that will face the degradation, the environmental, the health, and the
financial consequences if the Arrowhead-Weston Transmission Line, or
others like it, are ever built. We have the power to change the
way things are done.
Socialist Action: What are
some of the things that students and other activists have done to try
and stop this line?
Beth: First, we became
educated and informed on the issue. We then hosted rallies
in the area, attended local meetings, involved
ourselves in events, participated in fundraisers, sponsored
informational meetings on and off campus, arranged discussions with the
media, and distributed the truth to fellow students and citizens.
Socialist Action: Recently
the power line project suffered a major defeat when the Douglas County
Board refused to allow it to build on its land. Considering how
so many other government bodies have buckled to ATC bribes and
pressure, what made Douglas County different?
Beth: The reality of
it is that Douglas County is in a unique position
with its 300,000-acre forest guarding its southern border. This
required ATC (regardless of the route) to try and go through Douglas
County forestland. Plus, they also had a spokesman on the board
that was able to offset ATC's pressure and
supply true information to the County Board that others never
received.
Socialist Action: The
American Transmission Company has responded to its recent rebuff at the
hands of the Douglas County Board by saying that this decision will
only result in more farmers and private landowners having their land
seized for the line. What do you say to that?
Beth: The
vote against ATC actually saved 35 miles of private land (on
which several hundred farmers and landowners live) from being
impacted. The line CANNOT be built without permission from the
Douglas County Board who already voted twice to say NO to the
Arrowhead-Weston.
Socialist Action: The Feb. 2
Board decision was definitely a victory for opponents of the
line. But is the fight now over? What comes next?
Beth: The fight will
be over when the true cost of the line makes it apparent that other
alternatives are better. The estimated cost is believed to reach
$550 million - which is far too much money! ATC will either have
to go back to the PSC for a reroute, try to change the laws, or
quit.
Socialist Action: Is
there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about
this fight?
Beth: I can tell you
that it is no longer about politics. The Attorney General of
Wisconsin recently said that EVERYTHING is now for sale in
Madison. The corruption of the DNR, the NPS, the PSC, the
legislators, and the governor reflect the true story of the
Arrowhead-Weston. Money buys all but the Douglas County Board.
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