The 765 kV Line in Vernon County — No 765 Line
The 765 kV line in Vernon County
Yes; the proposed MariBell 765,000-volt transmission line would cross Vernon County on its 139-mile path from Marion, Minnesota to Bell Center, Wisconsin. The developers say they expect to file for a state permit in fall 2026. Local governments and public bodies across Vernon County have adopted formal actions on the line, and county businesses are publicly on the record — both are listed below.
Vernon County outlined, with the developer's published MariBell route corridor. Source: developer public comment map (maribelltransmissionproject.com/comment_map), WI Alternate Route Study, captured June 2026.
What is being proposed here?
What is happening right now?
- The developers have said they expect to file their PSC application in fall 2026; the formal proceeding, with public comment and intervention, begins after that filing.
- Municipal resolutions continue to move through town and village boards; see the full tracker below.
Who here is on the record?
- Vernon County — Resolution opposing the line (2026-19), adopted Mar 19, 2026 (County board minutes (PDF))
- Vernon County — Information-request resolutions, both dockets (2026-17, 2026-18), adopted Mar 19, 2026 (County board minutes (PDF))
- City of Viroqua — Resolution opposing the MariBell line (26RS007), adopted Aug 25, 2026 (City council resolution (PDF))
- Town of Genoa — Resolution opposing the line, adopted Apr 21, 2026
- Town of Harmony — Information-request resolution, adopted Apr 25, 2026 (Town resolution (PDF))
- Town of Stark — Information-request resolution to Dairyland Power Cooperative, adopted Sep 17, 2025 (Town board resolution (PDF))
- Town of Sterling — Resolution opposing the line (2026-1), adopted Jun 18, 2026 (Town board resolution (PDF))
- Town of Webster — Information-request resolution, adopted Oct 21, 2025 (Independent-Scout coverage)
- Town of Wheatland — Resolution opposing the line (2026-01), adopted Mar 11, 2026 (Town board resolution (PDF))
- Town of Wheatland — Information-request resolution (2026-02), adopted Mar 11, 2026 (Town board resolution (PDF))
- Kickapoo Reserve Management Board (state board) — Information-request resolution (Kickapoo Valley Reserve), adopted Dec 3, 2025 (Signed resolution (PDF))
Local businesses on the record
36 Vernon County businesses on the record.
- Century 21 Affiliated Viroqua
- Chris’ Repair LLC De Soto
- Clutch Viroqua Viroqua
- Coulee Roots Movement LLC Viroqua
- County Seat Laundry Viroqua
- DeFlorian Farms Genoa
- Driftless Angler Fly Shop Viroqua
- Driftless HomeWrights Viroqua
- Driftless Pole Buildings Viola
- Driftless Provisions Viroqua
- Driftless Rentals LLC La Farge
- Echo Valley Farm Town of Forest
- Ethos Green Power Cooperative Viroqua
- Guardrail Photography Viroqua
- Hearth & Sol Construction and Energy Services Viroqua
- Home Storage, LLC Viroqua
- Howling Hollow Taxidermy Genoa
- Humble Heights Farm Wheatland
- Leatherberry Electric La Farge
- Legal Guardianship Services, Inc Viroqua
- Leum Technologies, Inc. Genoa
- MD Electric, LLC Viroqua
- Maple Street Retreat Viroqua
- Midnight Magic dj service De Soto
- Mike Lepke Excavating Readstown
- Pleasant Valley Assisted Living Bergen
- Quantum Alignment System, LLC Viroqua
- Ridgetop Self-Storage LLC Wheatland
- Rise Above Partners Viroqua
- Roosters Bar Readstown
- Rush Creek Labs LLC Viroqua
- Rush Creek Realty De Soto
- Sarah Dvorsak Therapeutic Bodywork Viroqua
- The Barefoot Drover LLC Readstown
- West Fork Builders Viola
- Whiskey Springs LLC Viola
What can I do?
How do I connect locally?
County organizing is just getting started here. Local contacts and ways to connect in Vernon County will be added to this page as they become available. Joining the email list is the best way to hear when that happens.
Common questions
No. The line cannot be built without a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, and no application has been filed yet. The proceeding that decides it has not started.
Their schedule does not have to become yours. A first conversation is not a contract, and it's common for landowners to take time, ask for requests in writing, and talk to their neighbors before responding further. Our Landowners page describes the options landowners commonly have. This is general information, not legal advice; for advice about your own situation, talk to your own attorney.