County staff begin joint‑development talks with Xcel on proposed solar project, seek municipal input

County staff briefed the committee on ongoing early negotiations with Xcel Energy about a proposed utility‑scale solar project in the county and outlined next steps to gather municipal input and shape a joint development agreement (JDA).

Staff said Xcel has discussed decommissioning financial assurance, emergency responder training, temporary and long‑term access, and habitat/vegetation management under the arrays (staff noted Excel estimated panels are roughly 80% recyclable and indicated an intent to procure domestic panels). Van Dyke Farms raised concerns about proposed transmission routes and proximity to farmstead infrastructure; staff said the Public Service Commission (PSC) process will require pre‑ and post‑stray‑voltage testing and route alternatives that the PSC will evaluate.

Staff plans a joint meeting with the villages and towns that could be affected (Villages of Baldwin and Hammond and adjacent towns), timed after municipal elections so newly elected officials can attend. Staff said Xcel would provide parcel‑level maps at least 60 days before filing with the PSC; current public filings were expected in July or August.

Committee members asked about prime farmland, local farmland‑preservation implications and whether battery storage was planned; Xcel currently reported no storage planned but staff recommended including battery storage provisions in the JDA in case developers later add storage. Staff also said farmland preservation status could trigger penalties that must be addressed in negotiations and that the PSC filing requirements include consideration of productive farmland.

No formal approvals were requested at the meeting; staff will schedule a joint municipal meeting and continue negotiating JDA language to bring back to the committee for review prior to any final County Board action.