The Town of Sterling, located within Wisconsin’s nationally recognized Driftless Area, adopted Resolution 2026-1 opposing the proposed 765-kV high-voltage transmission line through the town, Vernon County, and the broader Driftless region. The resolution cites concerns about impacts to the area’s unique landscape, agriculture, wildlife, economy, and public health.
Across the United States, communities are facing unprecedented proposals for new high-voltage transmission lines, substations, and other electrical infrastructure needed to support the energy demands of AI data centers. In many cases, these projects are being routed near homes, schools, daycare centers, parks, and other sensitive locations. Residents and local governments are increasingly questioning whether the benefits outweigh the costs.
TOWN OF STERLING RESOLUTION 2026-1
RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE PROPOSED 765kV HIGH-VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE THROUGH THE TOWN OF STERLING, VERNON COUNTY AND THE DRIFTLESS AREA
WHEREAS, the Town of Sterling lies within the nationally recognized Driftless Area, a uniquely fragile landscape defined by steep ridges, cold-water trout streams, karst geology, and highly erodible soils that are particularly vulnerable to large-scale infrastructure disturbance; and
WHEREAS, the proposed high-voltage transmission line would require extensive clearing, construction corridors, blasting, and long-term maintenance that would fragment wildlife habitat, disrupt agricultural lands, and permanently alter the natural character of the region; and
WHEREAS, the proposed LRTP project #26 (765 kV line) is a regional backbone system intended to transport electricity to distant market such as Chicago and points east, providing zero local benefit to the residents of Sterling while imposing 200-foot industrial towers upon our land; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Sterling’s agricultural economy depends on productive farmland, livestock operations, and regenerative farming systems that could be adversely affected by land fragmentation, easement restrictions, soil disruption, and concerns regarding electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure to livestock; and
WHEREAS, property owners face potential declines in land value and long-term uncertainty, and Vernon County’s tourism economy—driven by its scenic beauty, trout streams, outdoor recreation, and rural character—would be negatively affected; and
WHEREAS, scientific evidence indicates that such continuous industrial noise and electromagnetic interference disrupts the natural environment, negatively impacting wildlife reproductive cycles, bird and amphibian communications and migratory patterns.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
That the Sterling Town Board formally and unequivocally opposes the proposed high-voltage transmission line within the Town of Sterling, Vernon County and the Driftless Area, finding that this region is not suitable for such development and that the project poses substantial risks to public health, safety, and welfare, as well as to environmental integrity, agricultural viability, economic stability, and cultural resources.
Submitted to the Town Board for consideration this 18th day of June 2026.
Adopted this 18th Day of June 2026
READ: The Town of Sterling, Resolution 2026-1 opposing the proposed 765-kV high-voltage transmission line through the town, Vernon County, and the broader Driftless region.
More and more communities are opposing and questioning the massive power lines being proposed in their communities without full transparency.
As another example, in Virginia, Louisa County recently asked a transmission developer to disclose projected magnetic field levels at various distances from a proposed 765 kV transmission line and identify all studies relied upon regarding EMF and health effects as well as regarding impacts on livestock and pollinators such as honey bees.
The letter from Louisa County, Virginia asks:
Identify each study, by author, title, date, and sponsor, on which Valley Link will rely before the Commission concerning electric and magnetic field exposure from 765 kV operation, and produce each. State the calculated magnetic field strength, in milligauss, at the edge of the right-of-way and at 100, 300, and 500 feet from the centerline under normal and peak loading. State whether Valley Link contends that long-term residential exposure at those levels presents no health risk, and the specific scientific basis for that contention
Identify any study, report, or analysis in the possession of Valley Link or its parent companies that reports an adverse association between high-voltage transmission line exposure and human health, livestock health, or agricultural productivity, and produce each. If you decline to produce any such document, identify it and state the basis for withholding it.