Public Service Commission approves Porchlight Solar CPCN with conditions

The Public Service Commission voted Dec. 4 to grant a certificate of public convenience and necessity to the Porchlight Solar Project, a merchant‑developer proposal to build a roughly 163.8 MW AC solar photovoltaic facility with a 50 MW battery energy storage system in the towns of Buena Vista and Pine Grove in Portage County. Commissioner Nieto moved to approve the CPCN with the conditions discussed at the meeting; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Commissioner Nieto, who led the discussion of the project, said the developer, Porchlight Solar Project, LLC (a Savion subsidiary), proposed a project that would occupy about 1,100 acres and would include an approximate 2.5‑mile, 138 kV overhead generator tie line to an existing ATC transmission line. "I found this project meets all of the Wisconsin statutory requirements," Nieto said, and he told colleagues he would "ultimately vote to approve the project with conditions" discussed in the decision matrix.

Why it matters: the commission emphasized the balance of local impacts and statewide benefits. Commissioners noted the environmental assessment did not identify significant, long‑term environmental effects when proposed mitigation is applied and highlighted public benefits including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower water use compared with traditional generation and revegetation that could improve soils and habitat.

Key details and conditions adopted: commissioners described the revised record and several order conditions they would include or modify: - Siting and layout: the project’s primary array (a more compact layout) was preferred because it entails less wetland impact than the alternate array area. The record shows 54 constructible arrays across primary and alternate areas. - Gen‑tie route: the commission authorized the primary generator tie route because it is shorter and requires fewer transmission structures. - Interconnection information: the commission required the applicant to provide interconnection study results and MISO updates as they become available. - Project‑specific conditions: the commission accepted a modified fencing condition proposed by the Department of Natural Resources to allow alternative fencing if specified materials are not commercially available, and approved wetland, waterway and soil erosion protections with clarified timing and sequencing language intended to reduce vagueness and minimize schedule impacts. - Winter construction and stabilization: the commission required a winter construction/stabilization plan; DNR testimony clarified that the plan need not be burdensome and could be included as a short narrative in stormwater permitting documents. - Reporting/competitive bids: consistent with a recent commission decision in a separate docket, commissioners added a condition requiring the applicant to submit a summary of competitive bids "as applicable," to provide transparency on procurement when such information exists.

Public input and economic effects: the commission record contained 70 written comments and public testimony in the docket; commissioners said 63 comments were in favor. Commissioner Nieto identified several organizations that filed in support, including Renew Wisconsin, the Construction Business Group and certain labor organizations. Nieto summarized developer estimates of roughly 200–300 construction jobs (the transcript reads "2 to 300"), about $815,000 in annual utility aid payments to local governments and about $24.4 million in local payments over a 30‑year project life. He also noted that landowners would receive lease revenues and that local economic activity typically increases during construction.

Concerns and mitigations: the commission acknowledged comments from a nearby nonparticipating landowner who raised concerns about the battery, substation and O&M facilities' proximity to a residence (about 1,500 feet); staff and the applicant modified the design to reduce those impacts. Commissioner Hawkins noted a public comment on pilot safety and said he had reviewed a GLARE study submitted in the case.

Next steps: the commission’s final decision and order will reflect the modifications discussed on the record and any standard order conditions as amended. Commissioner Nieto moved for approval consistent with the public discussion; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Quote: "This was well done," Commissioner Nieto said of the applicant’s engagement with local communities, staff and the DNR.

The commission left open targeted follow‑up items to be enforced as order conditions and flagged the possibility of evolving broader rules on procurement reporting in buy/sell or acquisition dockets rather than in merchant development proceedings.