Wis. Appeals Court: Farm Can Sue Energy Company

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin appeals court has reinstated a stray voltage complaint against Alliant Energy Corp.

Bickford Farms Inc., of Ridgeway, Wis., filed a stray voltage claim in 2008 against Alliant and its subsidiary, Wisconsin Power and Light.

Dane County Circuit Judge Michael Nowakowski dismissed Alliant from the case based on evidence that WP&L, not Alliant, provided the farm with the electrical service that allegedly damaged their operations.

The 4th District Court of Appeals reversed Nowakowski's ruling Thursday, pointing out the farm also alleged negligence in voltage testing on its property.

The appeals court noted a letter a tester wrote to the farm had an Alliant logo on it and contains other information that infers the tester was an Alliant employee.

Company spokesman Scott Reigstad declined comment.