PRESS RELEASE November 02, 2021 Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line The Court finds that Conservation Groups are likely to prevail on the merits, and that federal statutes prevent this huge high-voltage transmission line with 20-story high towers from running through the protected Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Statement by Howard Learner Attorney on behalf of Plaintiffs Driftless Area Land Conservancy, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, National Wildlife Refuge Association and Defenders of Wildlife “The U.S. District Court’s Opinion and Order grants a focused preliminary injunction stopping ATC and the other developers from damaging 114 wetlands on the proposed transmission line path, and the Court finds that Conservation Groups are likely to prevail on the merits. In particular, the Court finds that Conservation Groups have a strong argument on the merits that federal statutes prevent this huge high-voltage transmission line with 20-story high towers from running through the protected Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. “That will require the Federal government agencies to robustly explore and objectively evaluate better, less expensive and less environmentally damaging alternatives. That should have been done before, and, if the District Court’s final decision is aligned with the preliminary injunction Opinion, then it will be required soon. “The Court’s preliminary injunction decision is well-grounded in both law and common sense. It is in the public interest and can better protect both the environment and ratepayers. “ATC and ITC should hit the pause button and hold off from creating unnecessary costs and environmental damage while the Court decides the case on the merits over the next 30-60 days. The utilities should stop throwing good money after bad, and stop playing chicken with the people and vital natural resources in Dane, Iowa and Grant Counties in Wisconsin’s scenic Driftless Area landscape, family farms and rural small-town communities.” SHARE CONTACT Judith Nemes jnemes@elpc.org (312) 795-3706 RELATED Resources View All REPORT Beyond Wires: Using Advanced Transmission Technologies to Accelerate the Transition to Clean Energy FACTSHEET Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative REPORT High-Risk Levees Along the Upper Mississippi River Report Related Projects View All WILD & NATURAL PLACES Protecting Michigan Wilderness WILD & NATURAL PLACES Protecting the Wisconsin Northwoods WILD & NATURAL PLACES Protecting the Driftless Area WILD & NATURAL PLACES Protecting the Great Lakes Make an Impact. Support ELPC with a gift. DONATE TODAY OTHER WAYS TO GIVE Join the Fight. Your Voice Matters. TAKE ACTION NOW CONTACT US SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube 35 East Wacker Drive Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 673-6500 ELPCinfo@ELPC.org Issues Region Blog About Projects News & Press Resources Take Action Contact © 2021 Environmental Law & Policy Center | Privacy Policy