Michigan music festival says proposed power lines would wipe out more than 130 campsites

A beloved Michigan gathering place is now caught in the middle of a major grid expansion plan — and it's worth paying attention to if you're someone who thinks carefully about power line exposure near your home, land, or favorite outdoor spaces. The Wheatland Music Organization in Mecosta County says a proposed high-voltage transmission project, called Copperton, could wipe out more than 130 campsites and 70,000 feet of campground space on grounds the festival has used for over 50 years.

The project is part of a larger effort called Tranche 2.1, which includes more than 20 transmission projects coordinated by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the regional grid authority covering Michigan and 14 other states plus Manitoba. ITC, described as the nation's largest electric transmission company, would build the Copperton lines — a 250-plus-mile, $1 billion-plus project meant to connect substations in Midland County, Ludington, Gratiot County, and Tittabawassee. The goal, according to ITC, is improved grid reliability, which matters in a state that reportedly ranks last nationally for power reliability per the Citizens Utility Board. Construction wouldn't be completed until 2032.

Why This Matters Beyond the Festival Grounds

For families and landowners, the bigger concern isn't just lost campsites — it's what living near high-voltage transmission lines actually means long-term. These aren't your everyday neighborhood distribution lines; they can require clearance zones of up to 200 feet. That's a significant footprint that affects not only how land can be used, but also raises the kinds of questions many EMF-conscious parents and homebuyers already ask before settling near any major power infrastructure. Lansing-area landowner Rick Thelen, whose 80-acre field sits on a proposed route, told WCMU he feels there's "complete disregard for property rights" — a sentiment likely shared by other landowners watching their properties get drawn into utility planning maps.

If you're currently house-hunting or evaluating a property near existing or proposed transmission corridors, it's worth factoring EMF exposure into your decision the same way you'd weigh school districts or flood zones. And while there's no substitute for keeping distance from high-voltage lines, there are smaller everyday steps households can take to reduce EMF exposure indoors — from choosing a low-EMF hair dryer for daily routines to exploring EMF shielding paint for rooms closest to exterior walls or nearby lines. Pairing that with clean indoor air via a low-EMF air purifier rounds out a practical, health-conscious home setup.

For now, Copperton is still in its "listening phase," with landowner open houses planned for spring 2027 before ITC seeks approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission. If approved, the company would negotiate payments with affected landowners — though eminent domain remains a possibility. It's a story worth tracking for anyone who cares about where power infrastructure ends up, and how close it gets to home.

Originally reported by Yahoo