---

Dear Editor:
The proposed Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line is a bad idea for many reasons - increased electricity rates, decreased property values, and the negative impact it will have on tourism, agribusiness, and the environment. Here are two more reasons why it shouldn't be built: hacking and climate change.
According to the Department of Homeland Security the Russians hacked into our power grid via electric utility suppliers, including some in Wisconsin. Cardinal-Hickory Creek will only increase our vulnerability to hackers. And transmission towers similar to those proposed started wild fires in California, leading to 125 death. Tornadoes also took down high voltage towers in South Dakota, Georgia, Nebraska, and Alberta, Canada. In 2011, a tornado outbreak felled more then 300 high voltage transmission towers, knocking out power in Tennessee Valley's seven state region. To protect our readiness, all military installations in the US are getting off the grid; each will be powered by their own micro-grid. As of 2017, 40% of all military installations had transitioned.
Cardinal-Hickory Creek will be vulnerable both to the unpredictability of climate change and to the grid's already proven vulnerability to hacking. It's an outdated 20th century technology that won't solve 21st century risks.
Susan Michmerhuizen
Dodgeville