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Sustainability committee urges council to fund solar array at Wausau water treatment plant
Summary
City sustainability committee and public speakers urged the Wausau Common Council to include a solar array for the municipal water treatment plant in the upcoming budget to capture federal funding and stabilize future energy costs.
Members of the City of Wausau sustainability, energy and environment committee urged the Common Council on Sept. 23 to put a solar array for the Wausau water treatment plant on track for approval during the upcoming budget cycle.
The recommendation came during the committee's presentation to council and public comment that included local residents who described their personal use of solar and electric vehicles. "If it's good for me, it would be good for the city of Wausau," said Dan Barth, a Mosinie resident who spoke during public comment in favor of rooftop and utility-scale solar.
The committee presentation was led by Jean Haberu, chair of the sustainability, energy and environment committee, and Carrie Edmondson, a citizen member of that committee. Haberu told council that the proposed array aligns with a 2023 greenhouse gas emissions resolution passed by the city and with a city-appointed solar array task force recommendation to move the project forward. "Federal dollars will only be available to help fund solar projects if they are under construction by July 2026," Haberu said, urging the council to act this budget cycle.
Committee members said the array could reduce future pressure for water-rate increases by stabilizing energy costs for plant operations. Haberu also described a potential future addition of batteries to enable limited plant operation during grid outages, calling the project "a forward-facing and fiscally responsible next step" for the utility.
During questions, Alder Killian asked how much funding was available. Committee members said they did not have a final number at the meeting but noted that staff member Eric Lindman had attended some committee meetings and "has a full breakdown of the details on available funding," according to Carrie Edmondson. At one point a committee member noted a historic 30% federal tax credit for residential installations but said municipal eligibility and total available funding remain to be detailed by staff.
Committee members described outreach efforts such as the quarterly newsletter and a sustainability award program, and said they frequently meet with department heads to seek coordination and potential funding opportunities. The committee asked the council to treat the array as a budget priority so the city could qualify for near-term federal funding and begin construction this winter.
No formal council vote on the solar array occurred that night. Committee members and several alderpersons, including Alder Lukens and Alder Rasmussen, expressed support for the project and encouraged staff and council to move it through the budget process so Wausau would not miss time-limited funding opportunities.
The City Council did not adopt any binding budget language or a construction authorization for the solar array during the Sept. 23 meeting; committee members said they will remain available as a resource for council and staff as the budget cycle progresses.
