Jerry Zelenka has taken a stand against American Transmission Co.’s latest proposal to lay a high‑voltage line through his Wisconsin property. The company’s plan calls for a 130‑ft tower positioned a few yards from his driveway, a change that would radically alter the character of the land he and his wife cultivated for three decades.
The offer on the table stands at $81,000 for the removal of six structures— a shed, chicken coop, hog barn, barn, garage and machine shed— plus an extra $50,000 if Zelenka signs the agreement now. He argues that the compensation falls far short of what the loss would cost, especially when a power line so close to his home may depress property values.
Zelenka’s family bought the land in 1990 and turned a raw plot into a homestead, planting hundreds of trees and constructing buildings from locally sourced timber. The property’s identity is tied to that history, which is why the prospect of a towering antenna feels like a betrayal of a lifetime of work.
The dispute has moved beyond negotiations. Two neighboring attorneys have already filed a federal suit challenging the legality of taking land for a line that mainly serves a private data‑center. Zelenka’s own case will likely follow suit, raising the question of whether eminent domain can be invoked for infrastructure tied to a commercial venture.
At 75, Zelenka says rebuilding the barns or moving his home is not realistic. He sees the line as a threat to the landscape he has nurtured, a threat that could essentially erase decades of family legacy.
He will file a federal lawsuit next month, seeking to halt the construction and protect his property rights. American Transmission Co. has yet to respond publicly to the legal filing, but a court hearing is expected in the coming weeks.