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BECI developers move at dizzying speed
765 kV transmission line
beci map
BECI DEVELOPER, Midcontinent Grid Solutions, announced that their preferred route through eastern Crawford, Richland and Sauk counties, en route to the Columbia Substation near Portage, will not follow existing transmission line easements, but rather cut a more direct swathe through the countryside on brand new or “Greenfield” easements. The announcement was made on their website, with no prior outreach to potentially impacted landowners. In the image above, the blue lines indicate their preferred route possibilities, and the pink lines show existing transmission line easements.

In a full-court press, aimed at filing an application for a certificate of public convenience and need with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) in February of 2027, developers of the proposed BECI 765 kV transmission line are proceeding at dizzying speed.

If constructed, the line would begin to the east of Bell Center in Crawford County, run east through Crawford, Richland, Sauk and Columbia counties to the Columbia Substation near Portage. From there, the line would turn south, and run to Sugar Creek on the Wisconsin-Illinois border, ultimately connecting to a substation in northern Illinois.

Rather than the traditional three-year public information phase, the developers plan to submit their application in February of 2027 – just seven months after the official project announcement.

The developers, Midcontinent Grid Solutions (MGS) also revealed in maps on their newly launched project website last week that their preferred route through Crawford, Vernon, Richland, Sauk, Columbia, Dane, Jefferson Walworth and Rock counties would involve 93% ‘greenfield’ easements rather than following state statute guidance for siting transmission lines. A greenfield easement is a new easement where a transmission line has not previously been sited.

State statute in Wisconsin provides guidance as follows for the siting of transmission lines:

“Wis. Stat. 12(6): In proposing siting for new transmission facilities, follow this order of priority: (a) Existing utility corridors, (b) Highway and railroad corridors, (c) Recreational trails, to the extent that the facilities may be constructed below ground and that the facilities do not significantly impact environmentally sensitive areas, (d) New corridors”

The extent of the greenfield easements appear particularly severe in Richland and Sauk counties, carving a fairly straight path through the middle of the counties, rather than following routes of existing transmission lines running across the south and the north of the counties.

The MGS project website can be viewed at: https://mgs-projects.com/BECI

At the website, potentially impacted landowners can view maps that show possible routes, and where they might run across their properties. The maps do not show project tower placement locations. By report, potentially impacted landowners have also begun to receive letters from MGS with information about upcoming public information meetings scheduled for the last week in August. Their website indicates the developers are requesting public feedback on the study segments by September 7, 2026.

MGS open houses

Open house dates and locations are as follows:

  • Richland County: Monday, August 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Richland Center High School, 1996 Highway 14, Richland Center
  • Crawford County: Monday, August 24, 4 to 7 p.m., Gays Mills Community Commerce Center, 16381 Highway 131, Gays Mills
  • Sauk County: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., UW-Platteville Baraboo (Lange Center), 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo
  • Columbia County: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 4 to 7 p.m., Whispering Pines, 101 Bethel Drive, Poynette.

Opposition activity

Citizens are justifiably concerned and outraged by the unprecedented speed being employed by the BECI developer, and their disregard for state law governing transmission line siting.

The matter has been and will continue to be discussed by the Vernon, Crawford and Richland county boards and committees, by town and village boards, and by groups of citizens organized around opposing construction of the state’s largest transmission line through the Driftless Area.

So far, three citizens groups organized to oppose construction of the line are operating in Crawford and Vernon counties, with considerable organizing coming together in Richland County, and beginning in Sauk County. Those group are:

  • No 765 Line, Inc. – a group of citizens dedicated to education of landowners and municipalities about the proposed line. The group holds regular meetings, and has a website containing news and information for the general public and potentially impacted landowners. At the website, you can sign up for regular e-newsletters providing updates and information about upcoming events. That website can be located at: https://no765line.org/take-action/. The group also operates a Facebook Page, providing news and updates, and that can be found by searching ‘No 765kV Line.’
  • Coalition Against MariBell 765, Inc. (CAM 765) – a group of potentially impacted landowners in Vernon and Crawford counties along the developer’s announced ‘preferred’ route. The group has incorporated as a non-profit, and has filed a lawsuit opposing the line in Vernon County Circuit Court.
  • Stop AI Power, Inc. – a group of potentially impacted landowners in Vernon and Crawford counties along the developer’s announced ‘alternative’ route. They are incorporating as a non-profit, with future activities To Be Determined.

Information meeting

The three groups named above are co-sponsoring a Town Hall event, billed as ‘On the Line. On the Record. A 765 kV Line Town Hall.’ The event is described as a “public conversation about the proposed MariBell 765kV transmission project and its potential impact on Southwest Wisconsin and the Driftless Region.”

The event will take place on Monday, August 17, 5:30 p.m., at the Retreat Sportsman’s Club, E3460 County N, De Soto. It will be moderated by Erik Olsen, Attorney, Eminent Domain Services.

Participants are encouraged to come hear from:

  • No 765 Line, Inc.
  • Stop AI Power, Inc.
  • Political candidates
  • State and local lawmakers
  • Community leaders
  • Subject matter experts.

Baraboo meeting

A 765 Line Opposition Meeting has been announced, to take place at the Baraboo Library Topham Auditorium on Thursday, August 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.