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Dear Editor;
I've been getting the impression that some people think there's a connection between the Badger Hollow Solar Farm and the American Transmission Company's proposed Cardinal Hickory Creek 345 kV transmission line.
Actually, that idea is mistaken. Badger Hollow and CHC are two completely independent projects. One can exist without the other. Neil Palmer of Badger Hollow Solar Farm and Invenergy has stated in writing that they are neutral on the proposed CHC. They plan to use the existing 138 kV infrastructure and connect to already existing substations. Invenergy will not abandon their plans for Iowa County if CHC is not built. If CHC is built, Invenergy has no need to connect to it.
CHC would carry huge loads of mostly dirty fossil fuel electricity to the east for higher prices, leaving Wisconsin ratepayers with more than a $1 billion cost and degraded environment and economy, while giving CHC investors a guaranteed interest rate of 10.2% over 40 years.
In contrast, Badger Hollow would provide low cost, local, clean solar energy while helping the environment with sustainable plantings under and around the solar arrays. The participating landowners would receive payments that could help keep their farms in the family.
Badger Hollow would put over $3 million per year into the community from taxes, salaries, local spending, and payments to landowners.
Badger Hollow Solar Farm will make me more proud than ever to live in Iowa County.
Sincerely,
Marie Baker
Dodgeville