Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Information topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee rejects proposal for county-hosted FAQ on 10 Mile Creek solar project after debate over neutrality
Summary
A proposed county FAQ/webpage about the 10 Mile Creek/Xcel Energy project failed after supervisors and members of the public disagreed over whether the county could remain neutral and whether staff time should be spent creating the page.
The Community Development Committee on Feb. 19 considered a resolution to create a county-hosted frequently asked questions webpage about the proposed 10 Mile Creek solar project, but the measure failed after debate over neutrality and resource allocation.
Jason explained the idea was to provide factual information and links (including the project’s PSC docket and Xcel’s web materials), but cautioned staff might find it difficult to remain neutral. Public commenters were divided: Celeste Cobrill urged referral to independent expert sessions and offered a March 9 online information session hosted by the Wisconsin Farmers Union and Farm to Power, while David Meyer recommended against a county-produced FAQ if the county relied only on Xcel and warned the page could be perceived as biased.
Several supervisors opposed devoting county staff time to a stand-alone FAQ; Supervisor Jerry Scott and others said such pages are often one-sided or unnecessary in the internet era. Others supported a limited, narrowly scoped resource linking to primary sources (PSCW docket, Xcel site and neutral subject-matter resources). After discussion the motion to create the page failed on a divided voice vote.
