Energy project bills clear Senate hurdle

MADISON, WISCONSIN - The Wisconsin state Senate passed two bills designed to keep construction on track for two major energy projects, the Wausau to Duluth, Minn., power line and Wisconsin Energy Corp.'s planned coal- fired power plants in Oak Creek.

Both bills passed by wide margins, 27-6 in the case of the power line bill and 23-9, with one senator abstaining, in the case of the power plant bill. Supporters praised the measures as important to helping the state keep up with rising demand for electricity.

The power plant bill would clarify state law to address issues a Dane County Circuit Court judge raised when he revoked a construction permit for the $2.15 billion coal plants.

Both bills already had been passed by the state Assembly.

The power line bill is designed to give utilities the authority to condemn publicly owned land for power line projects. Supporters charged that Douglas County was violating the will of the state when it voted earlier this year not to negotiate with American Transmission Co., the company that wants to build the $420 million power line.

But opponents of the bill continued to raise questions about ramifications of a bill designed to help the Wausau-Duluth project.

"When the next one comes in from Michigan or Iowa through some sensitive property in your backyard and a group like SOUL (Save Our Unique Lands) starts up, that's where the rubber hits the road," said Sen. Russ Decker, (D-Weston). "You'll have to... say there's nothing much I can do because that dirty dog Legislature passed that bill in 2005."

Decker also questioned whether the law was worded so loosely that it could result in new power lines crossing through state parks.

Supporters of the bill expect Gov. Jim Doyle to sign both measures. Doyle spokeswoman Melanie Fonder said both bills are consistent with the governor's support for major energy projects in the state.