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1 <br /> ' an association, or to establish a biological mechanism for how magnetic fields may <br /> cause cancer. A number of scientific panels convened by national and international <br /> health agencies and the United States Congress have reviewed the research carried <br /> ' out to date. Most researchers concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove <br /> an association between EMF and health effects;however,many of them also concluded <br /> that there is insufficient evidence to prove that EMF exposure is safe. (Id. at p. 1.) <br /> ' The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin ("PSCW") has periodically reviewed the science on <br /> MFs since 1989 and has held hearings to consider the topic of MF and human health effects. The <br /> ' most recent hearings on MF were held in July 1998. Recently,January 2008, the PSC published a <br /> fact sheet regarding MFs. In this fact sheet the PSC noted that: <br /> Many scientists believe the potential for health risks for exposure to EMF is very <br /> small. This is supported,in part, by weak epidemiological evidence and the lack of a <br /> plausible biological mechanism that explains how exposure to EMF could cause <br /> disease. The magnetic fields produced by electricity are weak and do not have <br /> enough energy to break chemical bonds or to cause mutations in DNA. Without a <br /> mechanism,scientists have no idea what kind of exposure,if any, might be harmful. <br /> In addition, whole animal studies investigating long-term exposure to power <br /> ' frequency EMF have shown no connection between exposure and cancer of any <br /> kind. (EMF-Electric&Magnetic Fields,PSC (January 2008)). <br /> ' The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, based on the Working Group and World Health <br /> Organization findings, has repeatedly found that "there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate a <br /> causal relationship between EMF exposure and any adverse human health effects." In the Matter of <br /> ' the Application of Xcel Energy for a Route Permit for the Lake Yankton to Marshall Transmission Line Project in <br /> Lyon County, Docket No. E-002/TL-07-1407, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order <br /> Issuing a Route Permit to Xcel Energy for the Lake Yankton to Marshall Transmission Project at p. <br /> ' 7-8 (Aug. 29, 2008); See also, In the Matter of the Application for a HT/TL Route Permit for the Tower <br /> Transmission Line Project,Docket No. ET-2,E015/TL-06-1624,Findings of Fact,Conclusions of Law <br /> and Order Issuing a Route Permit to Minnesota Power and Great River Energy for the Tower <br /> Transmission Line Project and Associated Facilities at p. 23 (Aug. 1, 2007)("Currently, there is <br /> ' insufficient evidence to demonstrate a causal relationship between EMF exposure and any adverse <br /> human health effects."). <br /> The Commission again confirmed its conclusion regarding health effects and MFs in the Brookings <br /> County — Hampton 345 kV Route Permit proceeding ("Brookings Project"). In the Brookings <br /> Project Route Permit proceeding, Applicants Great River Energy and Xcel Energy and one of the <br /> ' intervening parties provided expert evidence on the potential impacts of electric and magnetic fields <br /> on human health. The ALJ in that proceeding evaluated written submissions and a day-and-half of <br /> testimony from these two expert witnesses. The ALJ concluded: "there is no demonstrated impact <br /> ' on human health and safety that is not adequately addressed by the existing State standards for [EF <br /> or MF] exposure." In the Matter of the Route Permit Application by Great River Energy and Xcel Energy for a <br /> 345 kV Transmission Line from Brookings County, South Dakota to Hampton, Minnesota, Docket No. ET- <br /> 2/TL-08-1474, ALJ Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendation at Finding 216 (April 22, <br /> 2010 and amended April 30, 2010). The Commission adopted this finding on July 15, 2010. In the <br /> Matter of the Route Permit Application by Great River Energy and Xcel Energy for a 345 kV Transmission Line <br /> from Brookings County, South Dakota to Hampton, Minnesota, Docket No. ET-2/TL-08-1474, Order <br /> Granting Route Permit (September 14,2010). <br /> ' Orono Project June 7,2011 <br /> MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 35 <br />