Three utility companies — American Transmission Co., Dairyland Power Cooperative, and ITC Midwest — will be allowed to intervene in a legal challenge to their plans to build the $492 million Cardinal-Hickory Creek power line through southwestern Wisconsin, according to areport in the Wisconsin State Journal.
Overturning a lower court ruling, a panel of federal judges said Tuesday the utilities can intervene in the case, which was brought by the environmental groups Driftless Area Land Conservancy and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. The groups, which are opposed to the construction of the transmission line, had argued that two commissioners on the Wisconsin Public Service Commission had a conflict of interest and should have recused themselves from voting to approve the line.
Earlier, Federal Judge William Conley had denied the utilities’ request to intervene, ruling that the PSC would defend their interests.
Related story:Regulator approved projects, then sought job as utility CEO
