DE SOTO, WI – Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair and dairy farmer State Representative Travis Tranel (R–Cuba City) joined state and local officials Monday, August 17, at the Retreat Sportsman’s Club in Vernon County for a town hall on the proposed MariBell 765 kV transmission line.

Sponsored by the Coalition Against MariBell 765, the town hall brought together elected officials, community leaders, and residents to discuss the proposed 139-mile project and its potential impact on Southwest Wisconsin and the unique Driftless Region. Dairyland Power Cooperative and GridLiance Heartland are expected to apply to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for approval in fall 2026.

“There were hundreds of people at this meeting about the new 765 kV transmission line. I remind people over and over again that Wisconsin truly needs comprehensive energy reform. Tom Tiffany, a candidate for governor, has already made his commitment to doing that. I encouraged my Democratic colleagues who are on the panel to ask David Crowley, ‘Are you committed to complete comprehensive energy reform in the state of Wisconsin?’ Without that, all of these gigantic projects that make no sense are going to continue,” said Rep. Tranel.

Panel Members:

  • Rep. Travis Tranel (R–Cuba City)
  • U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03)
  • Rep. Tara Johnson (D–Town of Shelby)
  • Sen. Brad Pfaff (D–Onalaska)
  • Viroqua Mayor Krista Browne
  • Dr. David King, write-in gubernatorial candidate
  • Erik Olsen, Eminent Domain Services, moderator

For questions or comments related to state government, contact Rep. Tranel at 608-266-1170 or Rep.Tranel@legis.wi.gov.

The 49th Assembly District includes all of Crawford County, most of Grant County, and a small portion of Vernon County. District maps are available at maps.legis.wisconsin.gov.