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Wausau sustainability committee urges council to fund solar array at water treatment plant
Summary
The city’s Sustainability, Energy & Environment Committee urged the Common Council to prioritize construction of a solar array at the Wausau water treatment plant during the upcoming budget cycle, citing the city’s 2023 greenhouse gas resolution and a federal funding deadline if construction does not begin by July 2026.
The Sustainability, Energy & Environment (SEEK) Committee told the Wausau Common Council on Sept. 23 that the city should place a solar array at the Wausau water treatment plant on the upcoming budget priority list. The committee said the project would align with the council’s 2023 greenhouse gas emissions resolution and help stabilize future energy costs for the plant.
The committee’s chair, Jean Haberu, told the council, “The SEEK committee strongly encourages the council to put the water treatment solar array on track for approval and implementation during this budget cycle.” She said federal funding for solar projects will be available only to projects under construction by July 2026 and argued the city must begin the project this winter to qualify. “The solar array will also play an important role in stabilizing energy costs tied to running the treatment plant,” Haberu said.
Why it matters: The committee framed the array as both a climate-aligned step and a fiscal measure to reduce pressure on future water-rate increases. Committee members also noted potential resilience benefits if batteries are added later, allowing limited plant operation during grid outages.
Citizen commenter Dan Barth, who said he has had residential solar panels and electric vehicles for years, added a personal endorsement: “We drive on sunshine instead of on fossil fuels.” Committee member Carrie Edmondson said SEEK can act as a resource to council members on sustainability questions and highlighted the committee’s outreach work, including newsletters and meetings with department heads.
Council members asked for funding details; Haberu and Edmondson said the committee had been in touch with city staff (including Eric Lindman) and that detailed funding breakdowns were available through project planners, but the committee presenters did not provide a final dollar figure at the meeting. Haberu also said she had used a 30% federal tax credit for her personal residential system and that other incentives may be available for municipal projects.
No formal council vote occurred on the project during the meeting. The committee asked the council to treat the array as a strong priority for the budget cycle so the city can pursue available federal and state funding.
The committee offered to provide further technical assistance to staff and council as the city develops project cost estimates and funding applications.
