Onalaska board approves Xcel Energy easement for Gunderson Drive microgrid work

Summary

The board approved an easement for Xcel Energy (Northern States Power referenced in documents) to place infrastructure on city-owned land adjacent to the Gunderson Lutheran parking ramp and near a lift station for a microgrid project, with a staff note to prohibit new above-ground facilities in the lift-station easement area.

The Onalaska Board of Public Works and Utilities unanimously approved Dec. 2 an easement request from Xcel Energy to allow placement of equipment along Gunderson Drive on city-owned property tied to a microgrid project.

Public Works Director Jared Holter said Xcel would be tying new feeds into an existing transformer and that one easement parcel would be adjacent to the city's Gunderson Lutheran parking ramp while another would lie along the Gunderson lift-station site. Holter recommended approval but asked that the final easement include a restriction against additional above-ground facilities at the lift-station location.

Alder Jim Benash raised a clarification about the utility naming in the paperwork; staff confirmed the document referenced Northern States Power of Wisconsin (NSP), which is a local subsidiary of Xcel Energy. The motion to approve the easement (final provisions to be worked out with staff) passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Staff said the easement will be brought to the city council consent agenda for final action.