Public Service Commission loses sight of the public interest in power line decision

I am extremely disappointed in the Public Service Commission’s decision to endorse the use of overhead power lines as part of the $34 million American Transmission Company project along Milwaukee’s border with Wauwatosa.

This is a missed chance for the PSC to demonstrate a commitment to the interests of the public it is supposed to serve. In a case where residents of both Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, their respective mayors, public officials from both communities and even representatives from the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center spoke out against overhead transmission lines, clearly there is no such commitment to the public welfare.

Members of the PSC had the opportunity to listen directly to the concerns of the affected communities, and were even presented with a reasonable compromise—burying the power lines to minimize the impact on residents. Instead, they have given a green light to a project that will move forward to the great detriment of these communities.

I plan on convening a meeting with all interested parties to discuss our legal options for pursuing this matter further before the courts.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.