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1. Interview with David Fjoslien, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Brandon, Minnesota

Creator:
Fjoslien, David
Date Created:
1978-02-01
Description:
Biographical Information: Fjoslien was a native of Brandon, Minnesota and he owned and operated a farm nearby. He was elected to the state legislature in 1972. He also served on numerous committees including the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and the Education and Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. Subjects discussed: Background; result of 1973 legislation; viability of eminent domain; responsibility as a legislator to represent constituents; effect of powerline controversy on constituents; usefulness of confrontation in current situation; governor's role in issue; and the difficulty of the powerline as a political issue.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

2. Interview with Donald G. Jacobson, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Elk River, Minnesota

Creator:
Jacobson, Donald G.
Date Created:
1978-08-24
Description:
Biographical Information: Jacobson was the public relations manager for United Power Association. Subjects discussed: First involvement with powerline project. Role as public relations manager when Jacobson first joined UPA. Public hearing proceedings-the first signs of opposition; outcome of the meetings. Opposition to line-landowner's vs. non-landowners; impact of movement on the building of current and future powerlines; impact of vandalism. UPA-reaction to opposition; West Coast trip; attitude towards the need for public relations; current public relations strategy and effectiveness. The powerline project-determining future electricity needs; planning project; procedural problems involved because of Power Plant Siting Act; informing landowners; obtaining easements; routing line; tower placement. Relationship between UPA and CPA in use of public relations. Media coverage of the controversy. Mankato line. Reasons for rates increasing-energy crisis; farmers using electrical equipment. Role of legislators. Governor Anderson. Governor Perpich-mediation sessions; science court; law enforcement. Legal aspects of controversy-court injunction, moratorium; three judge panel; Supreme Court hearings; lawsuits. Meeting with organizations. Impact of controversy on job and personal life. How the project would be done differently if they were to do it again.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

3. Interview with Donald Olson, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project

Creator:
Olson, Donald
Date Created:
1978-04-18
Description:
Biographical Information: Olson earned a degree from the University of Minnesota in international relations. While he was in graduate school, he became involved in the anti-war movement of the 60s. He was a potter and taught pottery in a neighborhood craft program. He was an opponent and protest organizer of the powerline.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

4. Interview with Ed Schrom, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Albany Township, Minnesota

Creator:
Schrom, Ed
Date Created:
1978-02-01
Description:
Biographical Information: Schrom was a native of Albany, Minnesota, where he lived and owned a farm at the time of the interview. In 1970 he was elected to the State Senate. He served on a number of commissions including Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Labor and Commerce. Subjects discussed: Background. Power Plant Siting Act. Why controversy arose. Eminent domain-validity of; use by utilities. Conflict of role as legislator and stance on controversy. Health hazard issues. Tower placement and section lines. Public hearings. Farm bill. Alternatives to line-coal. Future energy needs. Issue over declaring a moratorium. View of opposition-its tactics; organization of; impact on community. Role of Governor Perpich. Impact of costs of powerline and vandalism for citizens.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

5. Interview with John Millhone, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project

Creator:
Millhone, John
Date Created:
1978-04-10
Description:
Biographical Information: Millhone received his degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in 1950. He was the director of the Iowa Energy Policy Council. In 1975, he was appointed director of the Minnesota Energy Agency. Millhone was also a member of Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. Subjects discussed: Background. Role as director of the Minnesota Energy Agency. First involvement with transmission line. Alternatives to line. Pulbic hearings. Agency's cross-examination of position put forward by utilities. Projection of furture elctricity needs. Court cases. Health and safety factors. Energy Agency and developing alternative energy sources. National energy plan. Minnesota's energy needs. Impact of opposition to 400+ line on other needs; personal impact. Elected vs. appointed officials in being responsive to the public. Reasons for controversy. Role of Governor Perpich. Role of the media.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

6. Interview with Kenneth Wald, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project

Creator:
Wald, Kenneth
Date Created:
1978-03-24
Description:
Biographical Information: Wald received his master's degree in forestry. Immediately upon obtaining his degree, he began working as a environmental use planner for the State Department of Natural Resources. Subjects discussed: Background. Environmental Impact Statement-400+ line; how it was prepared. Controversy over charge of farmland as lesser priority than wildlife lands in routing of line. Route recommendation. Public hearings. Reasons for controversy occurring.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

7. Interview with Lawrence B. Hartman, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project

Creator:
Hartman, Lawrence B.
Date Created:
1978-02-27
Description:
Biographical Information: Hartman was a project manager for the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. He received his undergraduate degree in History and Economics and a master's in Urban and Regional Planning. Prior to working for the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board he worked for Commonwealth Associates in Michigan. Subjects discussed: Background. Role as project manager. Process to submit an application to Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. How process worked with CPA-UPA project. Corridor selection procedure-original process; reason for new procedures; end point and entry point selection; corridor selection. Corridor evaluation committee. Purpose of information hearings. Public hearings-choosing and role of hearing examiner; set up of; structure of; writing of report; missing transcripts. Powerline route-choosing route; opposition to route; reasons for not making I-94 a route; alternative routes. Health and safety issues. Environmental Impact Statement. Future problems in siting powerlines in existing right-of-ways. Public image of agency. Reflections on the controversy and how it was handled. Science court. The construction of the project-involvement of agency; involvement of opposition. West Coast trip. Effectiveness of new siting procedures. Cost of project. How final approval of project is made. Need for line. Criticisms of how agency handled project. Impact of controversy on future powerlines.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

8. Interview with Paul Tollefson, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Northfield, Minnesota

Creator:
Tollefson, Paul
Date Created:
1978-03-20
Description:
Biographical Information: Tollefson was a a farmer in Northfield, Minnesota. Subjects discussed: First knowledge of powerline; petition for powerline. Health and safety. As member of the Citizen's Advisory Committee. Problems with 1973 siting laws. Purpose of Citizen's Advisory Committee. Role of Governor Perpich. View of confrontations by opposition. Science court. Impact of controversy on people involved. Future of electricity as energy source. Alternative energy sources. What the result of the powerline controversy will be.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

9. Interview with Peter Vanderpoel, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project

Creator:
Vanderpoel, Peter
Date Created:
1978-03-17
Description:
Biographical Information: Vanderpoel was an editorial writer and reporter for the Minneapolis Tribune and the St. Paul papers before becoming the director for the State Planning and Agency and Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. Subjects discussed: Role as State Planning Agency director and Environmental Quality Board director. Process for siting a line. Initial involvement with the Cooperative-United project. Cooperative-United project and Certificate of Need. Public hearings. Citizen's Committee. Routing of line-decision making process in determining route; issue over lack of priority in routing on prime agricultural land; alternative routes. Consideration of alternative energy sources-coal; underground lines. Health and safety. Science court. Environmental Quality Board-effectiveness; public image; lawsuits. Role of media. Powerline controversy-reasons for occurring; outcome; impact on future line sitings.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

10. Interview with Philip O. Martin, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Elk River, Minnesota

Creator:
Martin, Philip O.
Date Created:
1978-07-27
Description:
Biographical Information: Martin was born and raised on a farm in North Dakota. He served in the Air Force for four years and then attended the University of North Dakota where he received a degree in business administration with a major in accounting. In 1960, he was hired by Rural Cooperative Power Association (later to become United Power Association) as an administrative assistant. He became general manager of UPA in 1972. Subjects discussed: Background. UPA-structure; board of directors; how electricity is generated; Coal Creek Station; powerlines; types of customers and useage. Factors in building line-economics; type of transmission lines; need for energy source. How Mid-Continent Area Power Pool provides energy resources. Possibility of alternative projects. Planning for future needs and alternative energy sources. UPA and promoting use of electrical energy at the generation-transmission level. Public opinion regarding an energy crisis. Regulation of cooperatives in the future. 1973 Power Plant Siting Act-choosing to come under law; routing line and corridor selection; hearing process. Obtaining easements. Powerline controversy-initial realization of problem; why opposition developed; role of outside organizations; health and safety; entry point; eminent domain; dealing with problem; involvement of Governor's Anderson and Perpich; corridor vs. routing process; mediation sessions; science court; confrontations between protestors and surveyors/construction workers; role of media; personal impact; long term implications on cooperatives; current situation; state troopers; and costs due to vandalism.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

11. Interview with Robert S. Banks, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project

Creator:
Banks, Robert S.
Date Created:
1978-03-13
Description:
Biographical Information: Banks earned a graduate degree in environmental health at the University of Minnesota. While earning his degree, he began working part-time for the power plant siting staff of the Environmental Quality Board. After obtaining his degree, he worked as a senior engineer and chief of the section of environmental health impact analysis for the Health Department. He was the author of the health study report on powerline construction. Banks went on to be a research fellow with the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. Subjects discussed: Background. Position and responsibilities at the Minnesota Dept. of Health. Involvement with project to study transmission line. CURE (Counties United for a Rural Environment) petition to Environmental Quality Board board. New York Public Service Commission and proceeding over health and safety aspects of two proposed 765 kilovolt AC lines. How health report was developed and its recommendations. Russian studies. AC line vs. DC line. Difficulty in proving health hazards. Role of the state in dealing with line. Possible ways for health dept. to do research on line. Usefulness of science court. How citizens can put pressure on state to bring action against powerline. Media impact. Issues regarding effectiveness of state agencies in responding to public concerns.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

12. Interview with Roger Strand, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Cyrus, Minnesota

Creator:
Strand, Roy E.
Date Created:
1978-02-02
Description:
Biographical Information: Strand was raised in Cyrus, Minnesota. He was a farmer in Cyrus and was elected to the state Senate in 1976. Subjects discussed: Background. Initial involvement with powerline project. Pope County's involvement. Corridor selection committee-placing of corridor; placing of line within the corridor. Legislature dealing with public input process-lack of substantive changes; public attitudes toward. Running for office. Moratorium. Health and safety issues. DC vs. AC line. State control over line after it is built. Need for line. Impact on future powerlines. Laws of eminent domain. Personal impact of controversy. Effect on people within Strand's district. Disagreement within the community. State troopers. Resignation of Pope County attorney. Predictions on outcome. Role of Governor's Anderson and Perpich. Responsibility to constituents. Legislation and alternative energy sources.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

13. Interview with Roger Strand, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Cyrus, Minnesota

Creator:
Strand, Roy E.
Date Created:
1978-02-02
Description:
Biographical Information: Strand was raised in Cyrus, Minnesota. He was a farmer in Cyrus and was elected to the state Senate in 1976. Subjects discussed: Background. Initial involvement with powerline project. Pope County's involvement. Corridor selection committee-placing of corridor; placing of line within the corridor. Legislature dealing with public input process-lack of substantive changes; public attitudes toward. Running for office. Moratorium. Health and safety issues. DC vs. AC line. State control over line after it is built. Need for line. Impact on future powerlines. Laws of eminent domain. Personal impact of controversy. Effect on people within Strand's district. Disagreement within the community. State troopers. Resignation of Pope County attorney. Predictions on outcome. Role of Governor's Anderson and Perpich. Responsibility to constituents. Legislation and alternative energy sources.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

14. Interview with Ted V. Lennick, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Creator:
Lennick, T.V.
Date Created:
1978-09-12
Description:
Biographical Information: Lennick was born and raised in Minot, North Dakota. After graduating from high school, he worked for a utility company in the area and then joined the Army where he was a first lieutenant in the artillery. He attended Grand Forks University of North Dakota after returning from the army and received a degree in electical engineering in 1957. He worked for several utilities before joining CPA as an engineer. At the time of the interview he was general manager of CPA. Subjects discussed: Background. CPA-structure; source of power; Coal Creek Project; power useage. The powerline project-the plant; cost; AC vs. DC line; informing public; West Coast trip. Line-safety; alternatives to overhead line. Power Plant Siting Act. Public hearings. Corridor and line routing-eliminating corridor process; exemption of wildlife lands; routing along highway 94; obtaining easements; tower placement. Use of eminent domain-whole farm option; determining value of land and payment. Opposition to the line-reaction to; working with the groups; concerns of opposition; dealing with; vandalism. Status of transmission line and plant. Roles of Governor's Anderson and Perpich. Mediation sessions. Science court. Operation costs and rate increases. Future for utilities-lifeline rates; government involvement; sources of power and research for alternatives; changes in planning future plants and powerlines. Role of the media in portraying the controversy. Impact of controversy on job. Line to Mankato. How project might have been done differently.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

15. Interview with The Rev. Elmer Torborg, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Sauk Centre Township, Minnesota

Creator:
Torborg, The Reverend Elmer
Date Created:
1978-01-04
Description:
Biographical Information: Torborg was a Catholic priest and the director of the Office of Rural Life in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Subjects discussed: Office of Rural Life. Getting involved in powerline issue. Science court. Role in parish. Tesla-work of; relationship of powerline and Tesla's ideas. Alfred M. Hubbard and his work. Aalternative energy sources. Lack of government involvement in alternative energy sources. Working with state officials. Rural America meeting in D.C. Effects of controversy on people in the Sauk Centre area. Attitudes toward government. How controversy could have been avoided. Attitudes after the line is built. Day of prayer on capitol steps. Health and safety issues. Future energy needs and resources.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

16. Interview with Wallace Hayenga, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Mankato, Minnesota

Creator:
Hayenga, Wallace
Date Created:
1978-03-14
Description:
Biographical Information: Hayenga was the staff assistant at the Blue Earth-Nicollet-Faribault Cooperative Electric Association in Mankato, Blue Earth County. Subjects discussed: His background. Background of BENCO. Structure of CPA and UPA. Mid-Continent Area Power Pool. How a project is implemented. Reasons for rate of growth for electricity. Conservation of energy. Structure of Cooperative-United line. Determining need for electricity. Concerns over opposition of line. Health and safety concerns. Siting process-routing of line; public hearings. Alternative sources of power-coal; underground line. Eminent domain laws. Government regulations on utilities-impact of; reason for increased interference. Reason for controversy. Impact of controversy on future powerlines and plants. Research for different technologies. Role of electricity in Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

17. Interview with Wendell Bradley, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, St. Peter, Minnesota

Creator:
Bradley, Wendell
Date Created:
1978-03-19
Description:
Biographical Information: Bradley was a professor of physics at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. He was involved in Coalition of Rural Environmental Groups. Subjects discussed: Background; involvement with Coalition of Rural Environmental Groups; 400+ line controversy; state agency involvement; need hearing; utilities and energy needs; Bradley's energy needs predictions; governor and state agency response to needs predictions report; health and safety factors; effect of controversy on people opposing the line; the role of the media.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories

18. Interview with Willard Anderson, Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project, Benson, Minnesota

Creator:
Anderson, Willard
Date Created:
1978-01-03
Description:
Biographical Information: Anderson was manager for Agralite Cooperative in Benson, Swift County. Subjects discussed: Role as manager for Agralite Cooperative; function and structure of Agralite as a cooperative; how cooperatives have planned for future power needs. Cooperative Power Association, United Power Association and the Cooperative-United project-involvement with Mid-Continent Area Power Pool; planning of plant; determining need for plant; communication problems between planners and farmers; controversy over Cooperative-United transmission line. CPA-board vs. representatives of cooperatives; public relations. Feasibility of building underground plant. Health and safety issues. Obtaining easements. Future impact of the powerline controversy.
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Historical Society
Type:
Sound Recording Nonmusical
Format:
Oral histories
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