‘Block RICL’ signs targets of vandalism
Recently, “Block RICL” signs were damaged, removed, and thrown at the end of my driveway. Whoever did this, please stop and find out about Block RICL’s cause before attacking individual members. Also, shooting holes in signs adjacent to Interstate 39 endangers people.
Block RICL is a grassroots organization of friends, neighbors, landowners, and concerned citizens who oppose Rock Island Clean Line’s plan to build 200-foot-tall, 3,500-megawatt direct-current transmission lines across Iowa and Illinois.
Block RICL does not oppose clean energy or jobs being brought to Illinois. We do oppose billions of dollars in unnecessary and irresponsible transmission-line projects that we, as consumers and taxpayers, will pay for.
The RICL company is privately owned by investors who have a history of building projects, then selling to foreign investors. Their company, Horizon Wind, is now owned by Portuguese investors (EDP). RICL makes claims to bring jobs to Illinois, but in reality, would provide only a few temporary jobs. The steel poles will likely come from China, and the wire will probably be manufactured out of state and “be supplied” by a southern Illinois company. Erection of mega high-voltage DC lines is highly specialized, and no Illinois businesses exist with this expertise.
Taxpayers and consumers will pay for this proposed transmission line and supposed subsequent developments – not in Illinois – while getting higher electricity rates as the power transmitted competes with Illinois energy being sent into the East Coast grid electricity market.
Block RICL is individuals gathering and sharing information. Our goal to get the governing bodies to adopt state and national comprehensive plans to deal with all the proposed transmission line projects now and in the future. Learn more at www.BlockRICL.com on the Web.
Note to readers – Susan Sack is a Block RICL volunteer.
