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Sawyer County committee approves solar and battery storage ordinance, amid town split and calls for more study
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Summary
The zoning committee approved a comprehensive solar and battery energy storage ordinance and will forward it to the county board after debate over financial assurance, prime farmland protections and whether to extend an existing moratorium; towns were divided in their responses.
The Sawyer County Zoning Committee voted to approve a solar and battery energy storage ordinance drafted over several months and to forward the proposed code to the county board for consideration.
Jay (zoning staff) reviewed the ordinance, which includes definitions for solar installations and battery energy storage systems, a framework for conditional use review, provisions to avoid or minimize use of prime farmland, and a requirement that developers provide financial assurance for decommissioning determined by a qualified independent professional. Several towns responded with recommended edits: some requested more detail on battery types (wet vs. dry cell), and others urged extending the moratorium to allow more time for town review.
Public commenters raised specific technical questions. Linda Zilmer asked whether the ordinance is a zoning or a licensing framework and urged more presentations and expert briefings before the county moves ahead. Supervisor Kinsley (Town of Radisson) and others pressed for clarity about financial assurance and what happens if an operator abandons a site; staff explained decommissioning estimates are prepared by an outside consultant and financial assurance is held by the county to cover remediation costs.
Committee members said the ordinance represents months of work and will provide county-level protections; some members acknowledged additional edits may be needed and that an extension of the moratorium could be considered if towns ask for more time. The committee voted to approve and forward the ordinance to county board by roll call (3–1).
