Dairyland Power Cooperative releases statement condemning threats against workforce

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Dairyland Power Cooperative recently released a public statement expressing deep concern over escalating threats and security incidents directed at employees working on the proposed MariBell transmission project.

The editorial team of this publication currently operates without a dedicated opinion or editorial page. However, we believe that the safety of local utility workers and the rise of violent intimidation are matters of immediate public interest that transcend political debate. To ensure full transparency and provide readers with direct access to the utility’s perspective, we have decided to publish the executive team’s statement in its entirety below.

The proposed MariBell transmission line is a 139 mile double circuit system carrying 765 kilovolts of electricity from Marion, Minnesota, across the Mississippi River at Genoa, and terminating at Bell Center, Wisconsin. The project has faced intense pushback from agricultural groups and landowners who argue that the massive 200 foot steel towers will permanently scar the Driftless Area landscape, reduce property values, and increase electrical rates solely to fuel technology data centers in eastern parts of the state. Bipartisan political coalitions, county boards, and citizen groups have organized opposition rallies and town hall meetings to challenge the grid upgrade.

In its public appeal, the cooperative executive team stressed that while they understand the emotional nature of utility opposition, the safety of their workforce remains their absolute priority and they will not tolerate any intimidation.

“We write this letter to reiterate our commitment to open, honest and respectful public engagement,” said the Dairyland Executive Team. “We also write to unequivocally state that Dairyland’s highest priority is the safety of its employees, and violent threats and intimidation will not be tolerated.”

Dairyland officials noted that they fully anticipate public concerns and questions given the scale of the infrastructure project. The cooperative emphasized that its employees are also local residents who live and raise families in the same communities impacted by the line.

“Virtually all large infrastructure projects elicit public opposition and can become emotionally charged topics of public discourse,” said the Executive Team. “The MariBell project is no exception.”

However, the cooperative warned that recent online actions have crossed the line from advocacy into personal danger. Representatives stated that personal information has been shared online, creating potential security risks for workers and their families.

“In recent weeks there has been a noticeable increase in malicious and intimidating social media activity, with personal information about Dairyland employees shared online, which could endanger these individuals, their families and their neighbors,” said the Executive Team. “Violent rhetoric is unfortunately becoming more common and is escalating, with MariBell team members recently threatened with lethal violence, which led to police involvement.”

The executive team emphasized that utility work is inherently dangerous and employees should be able to perform their daily duties without fearing for their safety.

“Our employees already work in challenging conditions, where mistakes can lead to serious injuries and even fatal consequences,” said the Executive Team. “They should not feel threatened, or that their lives are in danger, when they are simply doing their jobs, which is providing electricity.”

The cooperative leaders concluded by stating that they do not expect the letter to change the minds of those who oppose the project but are asking for mutual respect to ensure differences of opinion do not lead to physical harm.

“What we are doing is appealing for cooler heads to prevail at a time when it seems the distance between words and action is not a long road but an increasingly small step,” said the Executive Team. “Put simply, differences of opinion shouldn’t become dangerous.”

Dairyland Power Cooperative Executive Team Statement

On behalf of Dairyland Power Cooperative, a member-owned wholesale power cooperative serving 800,000 residents in rural Midwest communities, we write this letter to reiterate our commitment to open, honest and respectful public engagement. We also write to unequivocally state that Dairyland’s highest priority is the safety of its employees, and violent threats and intimidation will not be tolerated.

Dairyland is co-developing the proposed MariBell Transmission Project, which is one segment of a much larger plan by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator to modernize the region’s aging electric system for current and future generations.

Virtually all large infrastructure projects elicit public opposition and can become emotionally charged topics of public discourse. The MariBell project is no exception. We understand and expect landowners, families, businesses and local communities to have many questions and concerns regarding the proposed project. This expectation is founded not only in past experience, but on the fact that we and most of our Dairyland teammates and members live, work and raise families in the local communities where the project will be located.

Recognizing this reality, and because Dairyland’s mission is to safely power our communities and empower cooperative members to improve the quality of their lives, we prioritize community engagement and an unwavering commitment to open, honest, productive dialogue.

However, recent incidents and concerning security trends related to the project are impairing our ability to meaningfully engage with the people we are privileged to serve. In recent weeks there has been a noticeable increase in malicious and intimidating social media activity, with personal information about Dairyland employees shared online, which could endanger these individuals, their families and their neighbors. Violent rhetoric is unfortunately becoming more common and is escalating, with MariBell team members recently threatened with lethal violence, which led to police involvement.

Our employees already work in challenging conditions, where mistakes can lead to serious injuries and even fatal consequences. They should not feel threatened, or that their lives are in danger, when they are simply doing their jobs, which is providing electricity – a critical service that we all use each and every day.

If you are opposed to the project, that is fine and this letter isn’t intended to change your mind. We respect your opinion and your right to hold it. What we are doing is appealing for cooler heads to prevail at a time when it seems the distance between words and action is not a long road but an increasingly small step. Put simply, differences of opinion shouldn’t become dangerous.

We appreciate the many productive interactions we have had with those who have concerns or are opposed to the project. Dairyland’s commitment to community engagement is not diminished. At the same time, our responsibility to ensure the safety of our colleagues, their families and the public will always be paramount.

The Dairyland Executive Team