Democrats Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska, and Rep. Jenna Jacobson, D-Oregon, criticized Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, in a press conference Tuesday over his position on proposed transmission lines in southwest Wisconsin.
The transmission lines, the Bell Center-Columbia-Sugar Creek-Illinios/Wisconsin State Line (BECI) and Maribell projects, are part of a broader expansion of the region’s electrical grid. BECI would span roughly 190 miles across southern Wisconsin, running from Crawford County and through nine driftless counties before reaching the Illinois border. MariBell would stretch 140 miles from Marion, Minnesota to Bell Center in southwestern Wisconsin.
MariBell developers are expected to file their approval this fall, while BECI developers are expected to file early next year.
Gov. Tony Evers has stated the projects fall under the authority of the Public Service Commission (PSC), rather than directly under his office. In his 2025-27 budget request, Evers included an additional 180 days of the review period for the PSC to make changes or decisions regarding large and complex transmission projects.
In response, the Joint Finance Committee, which Marklein co-chairs, removed this provision from the state budget through their Omnibus Motion #4 in May 2025. All Democrats on the committee voted to retain the extended review provision.
On Sept. 17, Marklein joined U.S Rep. Derrick Van Orden and state Reps. Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City, and Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, in a letter to Evers, detailing strong opposition to the transmission lines and calling for a moratorium on the projects. They cited potential impacts on landowners, agriculture and the concerns posed by their constituents.
The letter was the subject of Tuesday’s criticism. Pfaff and Jacobson argued Marklein’s recent opposition to the transmission lines is not consistent with his earlier actions in the Legislature.
Pfaff stated he proposed legislation to place lines underground to prioritize the landscape, criticizing Marklein’s approach as insufficient.
“The people in southwest Wisconsin are looking for leadership and honesty in the issue,” Pfaff said. “With that, they are looking for a new state senator.”
Jacobson, who currently serves in 50th Assembly District, is challenging Marklein for his Senate seat in the 17th District.
Jacobson similarly questioned Marklein’s recent opposition, saying the “transmission lines didn’t sneak up on Marklein, residents in the district have been speaking up for months.” She also pointed to Marklein’s role in the budget process, saying he voted against “giving the folks in the driftless region this valuable time.”
In response, Marklein told The Daily Cardinal in a statement that he “publicly opposed the 756Kv transmission line weeks ago.” He told the Cardinal he will submit a public comment to the PSC to oppose the projects, and he encourages his constituents to do the same.
Neither project has reached the PSC for a final decision yet. Until the projects enter that process, however, the dispute surrounding them remains unresolved.
Communities in western and southwestern Wisconsin are left to wait for a decision on the transmission lines, with lawmakers questioning how much voice constituents have in the matter.
Staff writer
