Dairyland taking comments on replacing power lines

Company blames outages on 65-year-old lines

Public comments are still being accepted through tomorrow on Dairyland Power’s plans to replace an aging power line.

Actually “aging” might be an understatement.

The nine miles of line that runs from roughly Holmen to Medary is over 60 years old. The line is one section of a grid that Dairyland’s been working to update.

Dairyland blames several power outages on the age and condition of the 65-year-old line and plans to replace the existing wooden poles with steel structures of up to 115 feet high.

Some haven’t been happy that the line will be upgraded to steel poles and carry more electricity due to health fears.

Because the co-op is replacing an existing line, there’s no need for state-regulator approval. The project will, however, be financed using a USDA loan, which means it has to meet federal environmental standards.

Public comments are a part of that process. Dairyland hopes to have the line rebuilt by next winter.