The Coalition Against MariBell 765 filed a lawsuit in May 2026 against Dairyland Power Cooperative and GridLiance Heartland, challenging a 140‑mile high‑voltage transmission corridor that would link Marion, Minnesota, to Bell Center, Wisconsin. The complaint cites a proposed path that would bring towers within 300 feet of Timothy J. Woodhouse’s home and cut through 120 acres of his 2,500‑acre family farm, as well as a 2‑acre strip on Larry Pedretti’s property.
Dairyland Power and GridLiance plan to replace a 161‑kV line with a double‑circuit capable of 765 and 161 kV, with pylons standing 150‑200 feet tall along a 250‑foot wide right‑of‑way. The developers argue the upgrade will strengthen grid reliability, reduce congestion, and meet future demand, while keeping the footprint minimal by using existing corridors where possible.
Farmers across the Driftless region see the project as a threat to land values, farmland usability and health. The amended complaint lists 100+ landowners, including the Woodhouse and Pedretti families, who fear noise, electromagnetic fields and potential loss of 3,000 acres of productive land statewide, as highlighted by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s recent analysis.
The coalition’s legal battle has already mobilized public action: a rally in Genoa drew over 100 farmers and officials on October 12, followed by a day of advocacy at the Wisconsin State Capitol. The lawsuit now moves into the next phase as the developers plan to file their Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the Public Service Commission in Q4 2026.
A hearing on the coalition’s claims is scheduled for early 2027, after the commission reviews the project’s need, costs, environmental impacts and proposed routes. The outcome will set a precedent for how Wisconsin balances energy infrastructure with agricultural preservation.