TOWN OF OREGON, Wis. -- Parts of the popular Badger Recreation Trail and Ice Age National Scenic Trail are being considered as a corridor for a large Dane County power line, but many concerned citizens in the town of Oregon said that they are resisting the idea.

The proposal to install the major power lines has triggered a grassroots movement that is looking to remove the recreation area from consideration.

Part of the Badger Recreation Trail doubles as a section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and the trails run from Belleville to Fitchburg, and will eventually hook up with bike routes leading to Freeport, Ill.

However, the American Transmission Co. has the trails on a list of possible corridors for two separate major power lines. One of the lines would have massive towers and be part of a new backbone of power for the county with a 55-mile route running from Rockdale to Middleton

Some locals said that they oppose the idea. Oregon resident Jeff Jones is spearheading a grassroots movement aimed at eliminating this area as an option.

"We know that this power line is going to go somewhere, and the energy needs -- Dane County is growing -- but we feel this isn't the appropriate place to put a power line," Jones said. "Things need to be protected and families when they're using this trail shouldn't have to look up and see a transmission line above their head."

Annemarie Newman, a spokeswoman for American Transmission, said that she agrees that this is a sensitive area, but that they must consider all options right now because energy demand is skyrocketing.

Newamn said that if upgrades aren't on line in six years, their models show the potential for a voltage collapse, which means a widespread outage

She said that Dane County has the most significant energy needs in Wisconsin. She said that the county is projected to continue to grow at 60 megawatts -- the equivalent of 30,000 homes a year for the next decade.

Related Links:

What to speak out on the proposed Oregon power lines? Visit the American Transmission Co.'s Web site.
Ravenoaks Association, Jeff Jones' grassroots group