Concerns over a proposed $2 billion no-bid project by XL Energy dominated the St. Croix County Community Development Committee meeting on July 22, 2025. State Representative John Van Dyke urged committee members to reject the project, citing a lack of transparency and community engagement from the energy company.

Van Dyke criticized XL Energy for not holding an in-person meeting in the town of Erin Prairie, where he represents constituents. He expressed frustration over being uninformed about the project, calling it "pure arrogance." He emphasized the need for local voices to be heard against what he described as special interests.

The representative highlighted recent bipartisan support for nuclear energy legislation in Madison, arguing that nuclear power is the future of energy in Wisconsin, rather than wind or solar. He pointed out that Wisconsin only experiences about 100 sunny days a year, making solar energy an inadequate solution for the state's growing energy demands, particularly with the influx of AI data centers that require substantial power.

Van Dyke concluded his remarks by strongly encouraging the committee to vote against any agreements with XL Energy, reinforcing his belief that the proposed project would not meet the energy needs of the community. The discussion reflects ongoing tensions between local interests and large energy companies, as well as the broader debate over the future of energy production in Wisconsin.