By MIKE CORN

mcorn@dailynews.net

LA CROSSE -- Wednesday's hearing on the construction of a 345,000-volt power line from Spearville to Hays turned out to be the Reader's Digest version of a similar hearing in mid-March.

The hearing, conducted Wednesday in the La Crosse City Auditorium, was the second of its kind -- requested because the developer of the line, ITC Great Plains, determined it had failed to notify 17 landowners of the first hearing.

Only about 25 people showed up Wednesday, well short of the nearly 160 people who turned out for the first session. Regulators, developers or utility companies closely aligned with the project had nearly 20 people attending.

Only two people testified this time around, compared to about 15 last time. Both of those were repeats.

Tony Eller testified he wanted the ability to work with ITC folks to modify the route slightly to keep the line away from his rural Ellis residence, while Robert Tilford again voiced concern over electromagnetic fields the lines might produce.

As it turned out, the introductory portion of the meeting took longer than the official proceedings.

At the conclusion of the formal hearing, Kansas Corporation Commission Chairman Tom Wright, sitting alone, routinely read through a script that follows such hearings.

"The comment period remains open until July 2," he said. He stopped, laughed and said, "you have to mail it tonight."

It is indeed a tight schedule for the rest of the decision-making process.

Already, KCC has conducted its formal evidentiary hearing.

ITC now must respond to any additional comments by Wednesday, and the KCC must render a decision in the case by July 13.