Winnebago County committee backs resolutions seeking local control for large wind/solar projects after lake-quality debate

Winnebago County's committee voted unanimously to approve two county resolutions (from Wood County and Green Lake County) requesting that counties be granted greater local control over large wind and solar energy projects and to forward those resolutions to the full county board.

Before the vote, supervisors and members spent considerable time discussing wake boats and water-quality concerns on Lake Winnebago and connected lakes. One supervisor said wake boats "are extremely counterproductive" and argued that when wake boats stir up bottom sediments they release phosphorus that fuels algal blooms.

Multiple speakers urged local control because lake characteristics vary by location. A committee member noted technical limits cited by the Department of Natural Resources: the DNR can measure impacts up to about 300 feet from shore, which some speakers said constrains enforceability of distance-based rules.

Committee members cited a pending federal lawsuit challenging local ordinances and said they are watching how that case and NRB presentations will affect options. Despite those legal uncertainties, the committee approved a motion to forward the two resolutions and the motion "carried unanimously," according to the chair.

Why it matters: County officials said Lake Winnebago is impaired for phosphorus and that local land- and water-management investments are already underway. The resolution forwards local concerns to the county board and is intended to signal to state lawmakers and the DNR that the county seeks authority to regulate certain large-scale energy projects locally.

The committee adjourned after the vote. The resolutions will appear on the county board agenda for final consideration.