Board adopts substitute resolution asking Wisconsin Counties Association to press for greater local control on energy siting after heated debate
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
After extended debate and a failed motion to refer back to committee, the board adopted a substitute resolution asking the Wisconsin Counties Association to lobby for local control on energy siting; the substitute removed specific bill references and broadened county-focused language.
The Marathon County Board adopted a substitute resolution asking the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) to lobby the state legislature and governor on measures to strengthen local control over energy siting after extended debate and a failed motion to refer the substitute back to committee.
Supervisor Hagan introduced the item; Vice chair Dickinson offered a substitute amendment that removed references to specific bills, emphasized county-level concerns and asked the WCA to adopt or consider the resolution at its annual meeting. Dickinson said she had consulted the Environmental Resource Committee chair, the original author and a citizen who commented previously and argued that a substitute would avoid further delay.
Supervisor Robinson acknowledged improvements in the substitute but moved to refer it back to ERC for additional specificity; he said the county should identify where local primacy is appropriate versus statewide regulation and suggested exploring locational criteria, road-damage accounts and decommissioning escrow funds. Several supervisors voiced similar concerns, and others said a general resolution would allow associations to work out details.
Supervisor Marash moved the previous question to end debate; the motion to end debate passed by the required two-thirds. The subsequent vote to refer back to committee failed, and the board then voted to adopt the substitute resolution. The substitute vote and the final substitute adoption were carried, though not unanimously.
Supporters said the general language will let associations pursue the issue broadly and urge legislators to hear from counties; critics argued the item needed further work and more input from utilities, developers and impacted communities. The adopted substitute asks the WCA and other organizations to consider local-control measures and to share the county’s position with legislators and the governor.