Stray Voltage, LaCrosse, WI 2001
Partners:
La Crosse Tribune
This project examined the hazards of stray voltage – electrical current that leaks from power lines – for farms and livestock through a series of newspaper stories and a dedicated Web site that drew comments and questions from around the world.
The stories, looking at causes, effects and possible solutions of stray voltage, were denounced by utility companies, who tried to pressure the Tribune by going directly to the editorial board to complain and even questioning the Pew Center about its support of the project. But the project was embraced by farmers and some public officials. The Michigan Attorney General included several of the stories as evidence in legal action against the state’s second largest utility. The Wisconsin Rural Energy Management Council invited reporter Chris Hardie to display his story and answer questions on the subject as part of its research for the state legislature.
The project won five Wisconsin journalism awards and the Web site www.strayvoltage.org generated daily traffic for years.
Contact:
Chris Hardie
Local News Editor
La Crosse Tribune
401 North 3rd St.
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 791-8218
Email: chardie@lacrossetribune.com