POWERLINE TRUTH
POWERLINE TRUTH:
By Jeremy Chipps
CapX2020 is Three ultra high voltage power lines proposed by Xcel Energy, Dairyland Power and 9 other utilities. The nearly $2 billion project would be at a cost to rate-payers and could be built in the next few years.. CapX is slated to cross through Minn. and Wis. on it’s way to Madison, WI and points east. See the utilities website for maps at www.capx2020.com.
We don’t NEED it—Energy use has declined. Electric demand for some utilities has significantly declined, rather than growing as CapX predicted. Bottom line: There is no regional energy need for CapX2020. Citizens Energy Task Force and other citizens groups are currently appealing the MN Public Utilities Commission decision refusing to reconsider their approval of “need.”
It’s Not for Wind—it’s More Dirty Coal: CapX2020 has no requirement for Community-Based Energy Development (www.c-bed.com) or renewable energy on the La Crosse line. This means dirty coal, nuclear or any energy source can travel on these wires, holding us in a costly and environmentally dangerous old-world energy system. Local renewable energy, like solar and wind—-dispersed efficiently with smart technology is the key. Studies show renewable energy goals can be met without new ultra high voltage lines and it is 9 times less costly.
We Pay—They Benefit. You, the rate-payer will fund the multi-billion dollar ultra high voltage lines with rate increases. Energy companies profit by exporting power to points east. For what? Chicago has already identified 9,000 megawatts of potential wind capacity closer to home. East coast energy experts also question the need for costly long-distance lines (America’s Wind Web, Christian Science Monitor, Feb. 18, 2009). And ten East-coast governors sent a letter to Congress stating they don’t want transmission from the Midwest.
Mississippi River/National Wildlife Refuge—Harmful Impact. Crossing the protected Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge would negatively impact wildlife and ecosystems. In January 2010, the utilities announced their preferred route and river crossing in their application to construct the 345kV power line from Rochester, MN to La Crosse, Wisconsin. It would cross Minnesota’s Great River Road National Scenic Byway and cut through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The utilities did not provide an alternate route across the Mississippi River and no alternative that would avoid the National Wildlife Refuge. After crossing the Mississippi River, CapX2020 would connect at Alma, Wisconsin and either travel South along the River Road (Hwy 53) to Holmen, and La Crosse or extend due east from Alma to Arcadia, and then divert south through Blair, Galesville and Holmen to La Crosse. This should be of grave concern to these communities of Western Wisconsin. Final decisions have not yet been made on routing in Minnesota or Wisconsin. Routes are posted on www.capx2020.com.
It Would Harm Minnesota & Wisconsin: Tourism and Property Values Would Diminish. Bluff land, farm land, cityscapes and scenic byways will all be negatively impacted. Through eminent domain—they can take your land!
Long Distance Lines are Inefficient and Pose National Security Risks. Likewise, sending Midwest-generated wind energy long-distances causes significant line losses.
CapX Won’t Promote “Smart Grid” Clean Technology: “Smart transmission” can come on-line immediately and be gradually used as needed, according to George Crocker, energy expert from The North American Water Office. “Community-based energy development creates thousands of good jobs, enough wealth for healthy communities, and enough tax revenue to educate the children and care for our elders.” (View: www.ilsr.org and www.nawo.org)
Environmental and Corporate Stewardship is Lacking: Everyone has responsibility for protecting environmental resources, yet CapX doesn’t fully consider impacts on clean air, water, land and other natural resources. Corporate profitability is important and ensures jobs—but as we evolve into a new energy paradigm, balance of these will be crucial. We can do this smartly and cost effectively, but not by using old school “centralized” energy production with long-distance delivery. Energy companies should be partners with America’s communities - not just energy supply zones, private investors and Wall Street.
CapX2020—Part of a Master Plan of long-distance high voltage power lines criss-crossing the country that would not promote new local, distributed generation of renewable power—our TRUE energy Future.
Taking Action: Concerned about increased health risks, environmental impacts, massive 200-foot towers, increased rates, decreased home values and tourism? Call and e-mail your federal/state legislators. Urge them to scrutinize the utilities role in proposing this nearly $2 billion project and ask the USDA (Rural Utilities Service) to deny tax-payer funding of Dairyland Power’s portion of the project (nearly 50 million). Also, display your Power Line Truth Yard Sign. Go to www.cetf.us for more information.
Jeremy Chipps is a La Crescent resident and environmental advocate who coordinates media initiatives for Citizens Energy Task Force (www.cetf.us).
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High Voltage Power Lines Like CapX2020 Pose Health Risks
I’m writing to share knowledge accumulated through decades of studying the health effects of high voltage power lines, like the CapX2020 power line proposed to come through southern Minneapolis, through Rochester and on to La Crosse, WI (CapX2020). As an MD and Director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at University at Albany, SUNY, I believe that the health risks posed by long-term exposure to magnetic fields are serious, especially to children and the fetus.
- There is definitive scientific evidence that exposure to magnetic fields from power lines greater than 4 milligauss (a level significantly less that what is expected to occur near this proposed power line) is associated with an elevated risk of childhood leukemia. Some scientific research indicates an elevated risk at levels of 2 milligauss. A home not near a power line will usually have a level of less than 1 milligauss.
- Scientific evidence also links magnetic field exposure to cancer in adults as well, particularly leukemia and brain cancer. There is strong evidence that lifetime exposure to magnetic fields above 2 milligauss is associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases in adults, including Alzheimer’s disease and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
- With many aspects of human toxicology, there is uncertainty as to which mechanisms may be responsible for increased human disease with exposure to power line magnetic fields. However, there is a large body of evidence showing ways in which magnetic fields, including the frequencies from power lines, affect tissue at a cellular level.
- Some persons may be unusually sensitive to exposure to magnetic fields. A recent study demonstrated that children living within 100 meters of a power line who lacked a gene to repair DNA had a 400 percent greater chance of developing leukemia than other children with a similar exposure
Based on this scientific information, I would make these public health recommendations:
- Information should be publicly available regarding the calculated magnetic field strength from a power line at various distances. In many locations along the route, magnetic fields from the CapX2020 power lines will exceed levels that create health risks, particularly over time as more electric power is used.
- High voltage power lines should be routed to prevent power line magnetic fields in homes from exceeding 4 milliguass. Every effort should also be made to avoid long-term exposure to magnetic fields above 2 milligauss.
- Public health precaution also suggests that high voltage lines be located as far as possible from homes, schools, playgrounds and child care facilities. In areas of dense population where routing away from homes and other sensitive uses is not possible, power lines should be placed underground in such a way as to reduce human health impacts.
David O. Carpenter, MD is a public health physician trained at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany, State University of New York.
